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1937. 


Followers  of  Jason  Lee 
Celebrate  Honeymoon 


Oceanlake,  \Aug.  30. — At  the  end 
of  the  "HoneVmoon  Trail"  where 
100  years  ago! Jason  Lee,  Oregon's 
first  religious  pathfinder;  his  teacher 
at  the  Willamette  mission,  Cyrus 
Shepard;  their  brides  of  a  month, 
and  Guide  Joe  Gervais  camped  for 
a  week,  cured  themselves  from  ma- 
laria and  evangelized  Salmon  River 
Indians,  a  goodly  crowd  of  history 
minded  Oregonians  met  yesterday 
afternoon  in  a  unique  commemora- 
tion  service   in   Rexroad    grove. 

Dr.  Bruce  R.  Baxter,  president  of 
Willamette  university  and  Dr.  Rob- 
ert M.  Gatke,  professor  of  history 
i  nthe  same  institution,  spoke  on  the 
place  of  the  missionaries'  formative 
labors  in  making  Oregon  education- 
ally and  as  a  commonwealth.  Mrs.  A. 
E.  Austin  of  Woodburn  read  a  paper 
on  the  Lee  family.  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N. 
Traxler,  granddaughter  of  the 
Shepards  was  introduced,  as  were 
others  connected  in  one  way  and 
another  with  the  families  who  came 
to  Oregon  before  1850.  Dr.  William 
Wallace  Youngson  was  master  of 
ceremonies. 

Indians  were  introduced  to  drama- 
tize the  interest  of  the  first  white 
settlers  in  their  forefathers.  Only 
one  could  be  found  who  is  known 
to  have  descended  from  those  In- 
dians who  could  have  been  contacted 
by  the  Rev.  Jason  Lee,  Methodist 
missionary  preaching  to  Indians  in 
sign  language  on  this  very  spot  100 
years  ago.  That  is  Louie  Fuller  of 
Siletz,  75,  son  of  the  old  Salmon 
River  chief,  whom  Sheridan's  men 
who  "pacified"  the  reds  in  these 
parts  named  John  Fuller.  That  "good 
Indian"  with  all  the  others  who  were 
auditors  of  the  famous  honeymooner 
of  a  century  ago  lie  on  hilltops  here- 
abouts. Louie  has  become  a  devout 


Roman  Catholic,  as  perhaps  his 
father  was. 

The  commemoration  took  a  prac- 
tical turn  in  two  of  the  resolutions 
which  were  presented  by  Dr.  Alfred 
M.  Williams  for  the  committee  on 
arrangements.  One  of  these  on  being 
adopted  committed  the  audience  to 
a  program  of  assisting  the  Indians 
in  keeping  inviolate  the  Indian  cem- 
eteries of  this  section  under  the 
protection  provided  by  the  laws  of 
Oregon.  Another  called  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  bronze  tablet  to  be  affixed 
to  the  monument  where  the  traveler 
on  the  Coast  highway  coming  south 
first  sights  the  ocean,  the  plaque 
to  state  the  facts  of  the  Lee-Shepard 
trek  of  100  years  ago.  The  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution  were 
asked  to  arrange  for  the  tablet  and 
its  unveiling  in  appropriate  cere- 
monies. 

A  tense  moment  in  the  unique 
commemoration  was  when  Mrs. 
Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  of  Creswell  pre- 
sented to  Dr.  R.  M.  Gatke  for  the 
historic  collection  of  Willamette 
university  the  actual  letter  written 
by  her  grandfather,  Cyrus  Shepard, 
to  her  grandmother,  the  then  Susan 
Downing,  proposing  that  she  come 
out  from  New  England  to  the  Ore- 
gon mission.  The  letter  is  101  years 
old.  And  since  Willamette  is  a  di- 
rect outgrowth  of  the  mission  school 
century,  both  Dr.  Gatke  and  Presi- 
dent Baxter  regard  the  letter  as  a 
great  prize. 

Preceding  the  commemoration  ex- 
ercises in  the  grove,  Dr.  Youngson 
and  Dr.  Williams  conducted  a  serv- 
ice at  the  "Chapel  by  the  Sea"  in 
Nelscott,  arranged  for  Indians  of 
several  Christian  denominations  and 
for  Boy  Scouts  of  the  Cascade  coun- 
cil who  in  camp  on  the  coast  for 
a  week  helped  to  make  ready  for 
the  celebration  yesterday.  State  po- 
lice handled  the   crowds. 


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PIONEER  MISSION  A  R  Y   TRIP 
TO  SEASHORE  IS  REMEMBERED 


Rv  JOE  PATTER-SON 
N&WPORT.  An?.  :<0-<SPf<>Hl» 
The  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
honeymoon  trip  made  by  two  pio- 
neer missionaries,  Jason  Lee  and 
Cyrus  Shephard  and  their  brides, 
from  the  Lee  mission  to  the  sea- 
shore was  celebrated  in  a  grove  of 
trees  at  Oceanlake  Sunday  with 
many  prominent  Methodist  minis- 
ters and  laymen  present  and  an 
audience  of  about  100. 

A  letter  containing  Cyrus  Shep- 
herd's proposal,  written  in  Sep- 
tember, 1835,  was  presented  to  Wil- 
lamette university  by  Mrs.  Clara 
S.  N.  Traxler,,  of  Creswell,  a  grand- 
daughter; Dr.  Robert  Moulton  Gat- 
ke,  of  the  university,  accepting  the 
valued  document,  explaining  at  the 
same  time  that  the  diary  of  the 
Rev.  Cyrus  Shephard  had  been  lost 
by  the  university. 

Mrs.  Traxler  related  personal 
recollections  of  her  distinguished 
grandmother  before  presenting  the 

*ift- 

Mrs.  Esther  Brammer,  of  Bay- 
ocean,  daughter  of  Webley  Haux- 
hurst,  the  first  white  person  to 
join  the  mission  church,  July  18, 
1837,  who  is  buried  in  Old  Trout 
cemetery,  Tillamook,  and  who  vot- 
ed for  the  American  government  at 
the  "divide"  at  Champpeg,  May  2, 
1842,  was  another  distinguished 
guest. 

Keep    Indian    Graves 

A  resolution  was  passed  unani- 
mously opposing  the  removal  of 
Indian  remains  from  an  old  ceme- 
tery at  Wecoma  Beach,  as  is  pro- 
posed by  the  present  owners.  , 

Dr.  William  W.  Youngson  of  j 
Tillamook  presided  and  traced  the 
route  of  the  honeymooners  to  where 
the  centenary  meeting  was  held.  | 
The  Wallace  bridge,  he  suggested, , 
should  be  called  the  Shephard  j 
bridge,  as  that  is  about  where  the 
party  crossed  what  is  now  called  I 
Salmon  river  and  he  thought._that  | 
I  (-v.    °-'nien   i'V£1"   f"t,-Q,ff   shouirrj 

i  name  changed  to  Jason  Lee 
Highway,  as  that  was  their  route 
to  the  sea. 

Too  Much  History 
The  history  of  Jason  Lee  and 
~vrus  Shepard  was  related  by  Uu 
/atke,  who  also  said  humorously 
that  the  article  he  had  written  for 
The  Orcgonian  had  been  returned 
because  it  contained  "too  much  his- 

^Seated  nearby  on  the  platform 
was  Leslie  M.  Scott,  head  of  the 
family  which  made  The  Orcgonian 
famous  and  one  of  its  principal 
owners,  and  he  relished  Gatke  s  re- 
mark but  when  Dr.  Youngson  com- 
plimented him  on  an  editorial  on 
Lee  and  Shepard,  he  said  that  he 
would  like  to  have  been  the  writer 
but  was  not.  (Ben  Hur  Lampman 
wrote  the  editorial  in  question). 

Dr.  Bruce  Baxter,  pies 


idenl  of  Willamette  university,  told 
of  the  formal  ion  of  the  university 
when  it  had  but  one  teacher,  Mrs. 
Wilson,  a  n  d  twenty  students, 
whereas  800  students  were  expect- 
ed when  college  opens  this  Call.  He 
said  that  many  earned  their  way 
through  the  college: 

Well  Dressed  Indians 

Three  nicely  dressed  persons 
present  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orton 
and  Mr.  Dick,  members  of  the 
Chetco  tribe  of  Indians  and  resi- 
dents of  what  was  the  Siletz  Indian 
reservation,  where  Jheir  parents 
had  been  brought.  They  were  Chris- 
tian Indians  but  not  originally  from 
the  Lee-Shepard  mission  region. 

It  was  pathetic  that  Mrs.  Lee 
lived  less  than  two  years  after  her 


marriage    and    Mr.    Shepard    lived 

very  few  years  after  his. 

Others  taking  part  in  the  services 
were:  the  Rev.  Dr.  Walton  Skip- 
worth,  Portland,  over  fifty  years 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Oregon 
Conference;  Rev.  E.  A.  Fopg,  Taft; 
Rev.  E.  C.  Richards,  Willamette 
university;  Rev.  H.  H.  Miles,  Siletz; 
Rev.  Dr.  A.  M.  Williams,  Nelscott; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Harold  Newman, 
in  charge  of  the  music  and  singing; 
Mrs.  A.  E.  Austin,  Woodburn  chap- 
ter D.  A.  R.  and  Dallas  Boy  Scouts 
under  direction  of  George  Rowell. 

Mrs.  H.  E.  Warren,  Oceanlake, 
was  chairman  of  committee  on  ar- 
rangements others  included  some 
mentioned  above  and  Leslie  M. 
Scott,  Portland;  Oscar  Hayter,  Dal- 
las, and  Rev.  J.  E.  Milligan,  Salem. 


A   Mountain    Mystery 

The  finding  of  an  old  wagon  wheel  on 
a  pioneer  trail  in  the  heart  of  the  Cas 
cades  in  the  state  of  Washington  is  re- 
minder that  in  that  district  there  is  propo- 
sal that  the  spot  be  named  Himes  Camp  in 
honor  of  George  H.  Himes,  who  for  51 
years  has  been  secretary  of  the  Oregon 
Pioneer  association  and  curator  of  the 
Oregon  Historical  Museum.  Mr.  Himes  is 
93  years  old. 

The  story  of  the  finding  of  the  old  wagon 
wheel  was  recently  recounted  in  The  Jour- 
nal. It  was  found  in  the  Snoqualmie  na- 
tional forest  in  Washington.  The  exact  lo- 
cation was  the  Naches  pass.  The  site  was 
the  pioneer  trail  near  the  Greenwater 
river,  and  is  now  a  forest  service  trail.  The 
wagon  wheel  is  supposed  to  have  been 
from  an  immigrant  wagon  wrecked  at  the 
spot  away  back  in  1853. 

The  manner  in  which  the  wagon  was 
wrecked  is  some  sign  of  the  hardships  that 
confronted  the  immigrants  on  their  way 
over  mountains  and  plains,  seeking  homes 
in  the  Golden  West. 

The  immigrants  rolled  out  on  rimrock 
in  the  Naches  pass,  and  came  to  a  rocky 
ledge  some  30  feet  high  with  no  passage 
to  let  them  down.  Everything  was  chaos 
for  the  moment  with  no  way  to  get  down 
from  the  high  ledge.  Finally  J.  D.  B;!es 
proposed  the  killing  of  an  ox  and  the 
use  of  his  hide  in  making  rope  with  which 
to  let  the  wagons  down.  He  offered  to  sup- 
ply the  ox.  And  the  plan  was  adopted,  but 
instead  of  one  ox  it  took  three.  All  of  the 
wagons  but  two  were  safely  landed  below 
by  the  process.  The  two  were  wrecked, 
and  it  is  believed  that  the  newly  found 
wheel  was  from  one  of  them.  Wagon 
wheels  used  to  be  made  by  hand,  and  the 
enormous  hub,  the  hand-welded  tire  on 
the  wheel  and  the  spokes  all  bear  evidence 
of  pioneer  wagonmaking. 

The  weary  pioneers,  after  their  triumph 
over  the  rimrock  ledge,  after  encountering 
many  more  obstacles  such  as  beset  the 
caravans  of  covered  wagons  on  the  Old 
Oregon  Trail  and  like  routes,  finally 
reached  a  settlement  south  of  what  is  now 
Tacoma,  then  in  Oregon,  and  located  there. 

The  trek  of  the  American  immigrants 
westward  is  one  of  the  great  romances  of 
history.  It  was  over  unmapped  plains, 
through  hostile  Indian  country,  over  un- 
bridged  and  swollen  rivers,  across  unchart- 
ed mountains,  until  the  caravans  rolled 
against  the  rockbound  shores  of  the  Pa- 
cific. Thirty  thousand  unmarked  graves 
along  the  Old  Oregon  Trail  are  a  tragic 
story  of  the  hardships  and  perils  they  en- 


Unanswerable   Proc 

History  is  a  guide  to  more 
citizenship,  just  as  cultivation  of  "the 
roots  of  the  apple  tree  produces  better 
apples. 

There  is  no  more  vital  history  than  that 
reflected  by  the  Old  Oregon  Trail.  More 
than  30  years  ago  Ezra  Meeker,  sensing 
the  need  of  making  our  history  live  for 
the  use  of  America,  gave  himself  to  the 
cause.  Though  past  the  allotted  three 
score  and  ten  years,  he  fared  forth  on 
the  Old  Oregon  Trail  with  an  ox  team 
and  covered  wagon  to  dramatize  for  the 
nation  the  story  of  the  long  treks  of 
the  past  over  the  Oregon  Trail  into  the 
Golden  West.  For  20  years  he  carried  on, 
to  reclaim  that  historic  highway  as  a 
memorial  to  the  intrepid  men  and  women 
who  won  and  held  our  West,  taming  the 
wilderness  in  the  process.  At  98  Ezra 
Meeker  crossed  the  Dark  River  and  bade 
goodby  to  Mother  Earth. 

But  there  remained  behind,  to  carry  on 
the  work  he  had  led,  the  Oregon  Trail 
Memorial  association,  Howard  R.  Driggs 
as  president.  The  cause  became  national 
when  President  Hoover,  in  1930,  pro- 
claimed the  "Covered  Wagon  Centen- 
nial." President  Roosevelt,  then  governor 
of  New  York,  issued  a  state  proclama- 
tion indorsing  the  objectives  of  the 
Hoover  proclamation.  From  April  10, 
1930,  to  December  29,  the  same  year,  the 
celebration  of  the  covered  wagon  trek  con- 
tinued all  over  the  land. 

Following  the  celebration  of  the  covered 
wagon  achievements  on  the  Trail,  and 
after,  here  are  some  of  the  outstanding  ac- 
complishments. The  list  is  reported  by  the 
Oregon  Trail  Memorial  association  in  a 
pamphlet  entitled  '.America's  Historical 
Opportunity": 

1.  Approximately  200  new  monuments 
have  been  erected  at  various  strategic 
spots  along  the  pioneer  trails. 

2.  A  number  of  historic  buildings  and 
important  historic  sites  have  been  re- 
claimed by  the  various  states  over  which 
these  trails  run. 

3.  Old  Fort  Laramie,  purchased  by 
Wyoming,  and  the  Whitman  mission  site 
purchased  by  citizens  of  the  state  of  Wash- 
ington, have  now  been  made  national 
monuments,  to  be  maintained  as  historic 
shrines  by  our  government. 

4.  Museums  have  been  erected  to  house 
historic  relics;  libraries  have  gathered 
valuable  historical  materials,  and  many 
new  books  dealing  with  the  pioneering  of 
the  West  have  been  produced. 

5.  Courses  of  study  in  our  schools  have 
been  enriched  and  given  new  motivation 
through  making  the  conquest  of  our  West 
a  more  intrinsic  part  of  the  work  in  his- 
tory, literature,  language  and  art. 

6.  A  series  of  celebrations  of  national 
import — the  Fort  Hall  and  Fort  Laramie 
Centennial  (1934),  the  Pony  Express  Dia- 
mond Jubilee  (1935),  the  Whitman  Mis- 
sion Centennial  (1936),  the  Seventy-fifth 
Anniversary  of  the  Pioneer  Transconti- 
nental Telegraph  (1936)— have  served  to 
keep  the  cause  impressively  before  the 
people,  and  have  brought  aftermaths  of 
constructive  work  for  the  conservation  of 
our  pioneer  history. 

The  foregoing  is  overwhelming  proof  of 
why  the  famous  covered  wagon  route  to 
Oregon  ought  to  be  listed  on  Oregon 
maps  as  "The  Old  Oregon  Trail,"  and  not 
as  number  "30."  The  name  of  the  trail  on 
the  highway  maps  is  alluring  publicity  of 
the  greatest  value  to  the  state. 


ANNA  MARIA  PITTMAN  LEE 
From  a  portrait  in  The  Oregon  Historical  Society  Library 


LIFE  AND  LETTERS 
OF  MRS.  JASON  LEE 

FIRST  WIFE  OF  REV.  JASON  LEE 

OF 

THE  OREGON  MISSION 


By  THERESSA  GAY 


METROPOLITAN  PRESS,  PUBLISHERS 
PORTLAND,  OREGON 


I 


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.  Fri 
rain 
continue 
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about  I 

Lre. 


■d  with  their  wives   i  .      .       ir- 

xcursion   to   the   Pacific.    .Crossed  the   7il- 
.    and  rode    in  a  westerl /   direction 
evening  on  a  branch  of   the  .11  river. 

m   the   journey  through  a  most  beautiful 
at  evening  at  the    foot  of  the   mountains, 
crossing  the  .        mcam     d  at  night   in 

sday  ..in  intending  to  reach  the 

c   but  were  ointed  and  encamped  in  a 

.js   distant  rainy  during  the   ni 
resumed  our   journey  about  11  o'clock 
r  but  it   oo-mmenced  rai  .  soon  and 

rrived  th     •  inched 

it    in  a   small   grove    of  ine 

re    soon  dry  and  comfor"  »y  the   aid  of 


Saturday  26th      i   .    ±837 


Started  on  our  return  and  arrived  safely  at  Mission  on 

.  ver   the    mountains    is  very  rough,    la:.- 
tre  .en  ab]  h  over  which   the   horses  were 

obliges,  to   ju:  viat   in.  some   places  we  were   obliged  to  all i 

,  ft:c  hole    the    journey  has   been  one 

but  me  fit   to   our  health  and 

3    business  of  our   c   Hi:     . 


PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


TO 

THE  MEMORY  OF 

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More  About  Jason  Lee 

I 

Those  who  read  in  the  Herald  of  July  28 
"A  Sermon  in  the  Wilderness"  may  find 
interest  in  the  following  facts  about  Jason 
Lee: 

July  16,  1837,  he  married  a  devout  Chris- 
tian, Anna  Maria  Pittman,  who  arrived  in 
Oregon  in  June  of  that  year  as  an  assistant 
in  his  mission  work.  July  26,  1838,  while  her" 
husband  was  on  his  way  East  in  search  of 
reenforcements  for  his  work,  she  gave  birth 
to   a   son.     Both   died   and    were   buried   in 

what  is  known  as  the  Lee  Mission  Cemetery 
in  Salem,  Ore.  The  following  is  a  part  of  the 
epitaph  on  her  tombstone: 

Beneath  This  Sod, 

the  first  ever  broken  in  Oregon 

for  the  reception  of  a 

white  mother  and  child, 

lie  the  remains 

of 

Anna  Maria  Pittman, 

wife  of 

Rev.  Jason  Lee, 

and  infant  son. 

His    second    wife,    Lucy    Thompson,    also 

died  in  childbirth  in  1842,  but  the  daughter 

survived. 

In  1844  Lee  returned  East.  He  caught  a 
severe  cold,  died,  and  was  buried  in  Stan- 
stead,  Canada.  But  in  June,  1906,  his  re- 
mains were  removed  to  Salem,  Ore.,  and 
buried  beside  those  of  his  wives.  A  thousand 
persons  attended  the  solemn  reinterment 
ceremony,  and  prominent  citizens  of  Oregon 
made  addresses. 

Of  Jason  Lee,  former  Governor  Geer  of 
Oregon  said  in  his  book:  "Jason  Lee  founded 
a  mission,  started  a  school  which  ultimately 
became  Willamette  University  at  Salem, 
opened  several  farms,  made  the  first  move  to- 
wards the  agricultural  development  of  the 
new  country,  and  employed  every  hour  of 
his  time  until  his  unfortunate  death  in 
spreading  the  gospel,  not  only  of  religion, 
but  of  those  earthly  activities  which  make 
for  the  uplift  of  men  and  women." 

It  may  also  be  of  interest  to  Herald 
readers  to  know  that  a  former  editor  of  the 
Herald,  E.  O.  Haven,  was  buried  in  this 
Mission  Cemetery  in  Salem.  Elected  a  bishop 

in  1880,  he  died  in  Salem  August  2,  1881. 
A  plain  granite  monument  marks  his  grave 
and  on  it  I  read,  "His  life  was  beautiful,  his 
death  triumphant,  his  work  abiding." 

Wilbur  F.  Berry, 
Member  Maine  Conference;  Recent  Visitor  in 
Salem,  Ore. 
WaterviUe.  Me. 


Honeymooning  Then  and  Now 

Later  in  the  season,  when  Delake  and 
neighboring  beach  resorts  celebrate  the 
hundredth  anniversary  of  the  honeymoon 
visit  of  the  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Jason  Lee  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cyrus  Shepard,  it  will  give 
opportunity  for  dramatization  of  the  im- 
provement in  transportation  which  the  cen- 
tury has  witnessed. 

The  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Lee  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shepard  were  the  first  white  couples  mar- 
ried in  this  part  of  the  world.  The  ceremony 
took  place  in  a  grove  of  trees  near  the 
Methodist  mission  house  north  of  Salem,  in 
1837.  Several  weeks  after  the  ceremony,  in 
mid-August,  they  set  out  for  the  Pacific 
ocean,  with  Joseph  Gervais,  an  old  fur  trader, 
who  had  turned  farmer,  as  guide.  The  first 
night  they  camped  on  a  branch  of  the 
Yamhill.  The  second  night  they  were  at  the 
foot  of  the  Coast  range.  The  third  day  they 
rode  their  horses  up  the  mountain  slopes. 
Mrs.  Shepard,  who  was  unaccustomed  to 
riding,  fell  off  her  horse  every  time  it  jumped 
a  tree,  but  always  managed  to  land  on  her 
feet.  They  spent  the  third  night  in  a  narrow 
valley  high  in  the  range. 

On  the  fourth  night  they  pitched  their 
tents  still  a  dozen  miles  from  the  beach.  The 
fifth  day  was  rainy  and  it  was  five  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  before  they  came  to  the 
beach.  They  camped  for  a  week  in  a  small 
grove  of  "pine  and  cypress  trees,"  and 
amused  themselves  with  clam  and  fish  bakes 
and  with  seeking  to  convert  the  Tillamook 
tribesmen  who  visited  them. 
.  Anyhow,  the  present-day  honeymooners 
travel  in  half  an  hour  the  distance  which 
these  first  honeymooners  traveled  in  a. day, 
though  it  is  to  be  doubted  if  the  pleasure 
of  honeymooning  has  been  increased,  in  the 
same  years,  by  any  such  multiple. 


s& 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Much  has  been  written  about  the  founder  of  the 
Oregon  Mission,  The  Reverend  Jason  Lee,  but  history 
has  given  small  space  to  the  part  of  the  women  who 
shared  his  labors  there.  The  lot  of  a  pioneer  mission- 
ary wife  in  Oregon  was  a  hard  one.  Heavy  domestic 
duties,  the  necessary  hardships,  and  the  privations,  es- 
pecially at  a  time  when  the  greatest  care  was  needed, 
made  many  demands  upon  her  strength.  These  were 
undoubtedly  responsible,  in  part  at  least,  for  the  fact 
that  both  wives  of  Jason  Lee  went  to  early  graves. 

A  few  years  ago  I  accidentally  found  the  letters  of 
Anna  Maria  Pittman,  the  first  wife  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee, 
and  several  other  letters  relating  to  her.  Most  of  these 
deal  with  Mrs.  Lee's  life  as  a  missionary,  and  they  give 
to  us  some  interesting  sidelights  upon  the  history  of  the 
Oregon  Mission.  The  majority  of  the  letters  and 
poems  herein  contained  are  in  the  possession  of  Mrs. 
Gertrude  Quinlan,  a  grand  niece  of  Mrs.  Lee.  To  her 
I  am  greatly  indebted  for  being  permitted  to  edit  and 
publish  these  documents.  Special  thanks  are  due  to 
other  members  of  the  Pittman  family  for  the  assist- 
ance which  they  have  so  generously  given  me. 

To  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  of  Creswell,  Oregon, 
I  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  so  kindly  furnishing  me 
with  many  interesting  details  about  the  life  at  the  Ore- 
gon Mission,  which  had  been  related  to  her  by  her 
grandmother,  Mrs.  Cyrus  Shepard. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  is  made  to  the  Board  of 
Foreign  .Missions  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  to  the  Oregon  Historical  Society  for  their  permis- 
sion to  use  a  vast  amount  of  related  manuscript  mate- 


rial  in  their  files.  I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  to 
Mr.  Joseph  J.  Hill,  former  Assistant  Librarian  of  the 
Bancroft  Library,  for  his  untiring  patience  in  aiding 
with  the  research,  and  to  Mr.  A.  A.  Gray,  Head  of  the 
Department  of  History  of  the  Berkeley  High  School, 
for  his  helpful  criticisms  in  the  preparation  of  the  man- 
uscript. To  all  other  kind  friends  who  have  assisted  me, 
I  am  grateful. 

M.  T.  G. 


BERKELEY,  CALIFORNIA. 


FOREWORD 

In  the  publication  of  the  Life  and  Letters  of  Mrs. 
Jason  Leey  Miss  jGay  has  made  a  fresh  contribution  to 
the  early  history  of  the  rim  of  the  Pacific.  Personal  ac- 
counts of  pioneer  life  in  the  Far  West  by  men  are 
legion.  Here  we  have  one  of  the  very  few  written  in 
the  earliest  days  by  women — penned  indeed  by  one  of 
the^  very  first  white  women  in  all  the  vast  Northwest 
above  California. 

Anna  Maria  Pittman,  at  the  age  of  thirty-three,  left  /I 

New  York  in  1836  to  become  a  missionary  teacher  at 
the  Willamette  Mission,  just  previously  founded  in 
Oregon  by  the  now  celebrated  Jason  Lee.  To  reach  her 
destination  she  sailed  twenty-two  thousand  miles  by 
way  of  Honolulu.  Typical  of  school  teachers  who  in 
the  early  days  came  West,  within  two  months  after  her 
arrival  she  acquired  a  husband — none  other  than  Jason 
Lee  himself.  Her  hard  and  devoted  life  in  the  Wil- 
lamette Valley  was  brief,  for  in  a  little  more  than  a 
year  she  died  in  childbirth,  while  her  husband  was  on 
his  way  East  to  get  aid  for  his  mission.  Apropos  of  the 
courtship  of  Jason  Lee  and  Anna  Pittman,  Miss  Gay 
says  that  "Cupid  is  a  fast  worker  if  given  a  chance." 
The  remark  is  applicable  at  another  point  in  the  story, 
for,  when  he  returned  to  Oregon  a  few  months  later, 
Jason  brought  with  him  a  second  wife  to  take  Anna's 
place. 

Very  little  has  been  know'n-*hitherto  of-  Anna  -Maria 
Pittman.  By  these  new  sources  much  light  is  thrown  on 
her  career  and  on  the  part  she  played  in  the  Oregon 
Mission.  The  letters,  together  with  the  extracts  from 
original  journals  of  the  Methodist  Mission  Board,  set 


forth  in  detail  the  preparations  made  for  sending  new 
workers  to  the  West.  Others  give  a  first-hand  account 
of  the  long  journey  to  the  field  of  labor.  Of  special  in- 
terest are  the  letters  written  after  Mrs.  Lee's  arrival  in 
Oregon,  giving  intimate  reports  of  every  day  happen- 
ings there  and  of  her  part  in  them.  Miss  Gay  has  told  a 
good  story.  The  letters  and  diary  are  intimate  and 
vivid,  and  they  have  been  carefully  edited  and  fully 
annotated. 

"HERBERT  E.   BOLTON. 


1937. 


SUNSET 


Mrs.  Mary  L.  Day,  91,  one  of 
Oregon's  earliest  pioneers, 
who  died  Wednesday  at  her 
home,   1639  N.  Ross  avenue. 


Mrs.  Day,  91, 
Of  Pioneer 
Group,  Dies 

The  ranks  of  Oregon  pioneers  were 
thinned  Wednesday  when  Mrs.  Mary 
L.  Day,  91,  one  of  the  two  surviv- 
ing daughters  of  Webley  Haux- 
hurst  and  Princess  Wattiet,  daughter 
of  Chief  Staywich  of  the  Yamhill 
Indians,  died  at  her  home,  1639  N. 
Ross  avenue. 

Funeral  services  for  Mrs.  Day  will 
be  held  at  2:30  p.  m.  Friday  in  Til- 
lamook, where  she  spent  most  of 
her  life.  Arrangements  are  in  charge 
of  Hennessey,  Goetsch  &  McGee, 
and  interment  will  be  in  Tillamook 
I.  O.  O.  F.  cemetery.  The  Rev.  W. 
W.  Youngson  will  officiate  at  the 
services. 

Mrs.  Day  was  born  November  12, 
1845,  on  her  father's  donation  land 
claim  in  Salem.  Her  father,  Webley 
Hauxhurst,  came  to  Oregon  in  1838 
and  established  the  first  grist  mill 
in  the  state  at  Champoeg.  On  May 
12,  1867,  Mary  Hauxhurst  was  mar- 
ried to  John  G.  Day  of  Tillamook 
county  and  went  to  Tillamook.  Some 
15  years  ago  she  came  to  Portland. 

Surviving  her  are  two  sons, 
George  W.  Day  of  Bellflower,  Cal., 
and  John  Day  of  Palm  Springs,  Cal.; 
a  daughter,  Mrs.  May  OToole.  Port- 
land, and  a  sister,  Mrs.  Esther  Bren- 
ner of  Tillamook. 


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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

CHAPTER           I       ANSWERING  A   CALL      -       -       -  3 

CHAPTER         II       ESTABLISHING  A  MISSION  -       -  "         x5 

CHAPTER       III       SENDING   FOR    HELP      -       -       -  -        25 

CHAPTER        IV       BOSTON  TO    HONOLULU      -       -  ~         32 

CHAPTER         V       OREGON  AT  LAST      -       -       -       -  "44 

CHAPTER       VI       COURTSHIP  AND  MARRIAGE      - 
CHAPTER      VII       A  DELAYED  HONEYMOON  -       - 

CHAPTER    VIII       ONE  YEAR  A  MISSIONARY    -       -  "         I2 

CHAPTER        IX       THE  DARKENING  SHADOW         -  -        84 

LETTERS       -----------  -95 

POEMS    ------------  -      201 

BIBLIOGRAPHY        ----_____  -211 


5.8 

68 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 
ANNA  MARIA  PITTMAN      -----       FRONTISPIECE 

JASON   LEE         ---------  -"  2° 

OLD   MISSION   HOUSE,   OREGON      -       -       -       -  21 

DR.  JOHN  MCLOUGHLIN  ------  -  52 

OREGON  CITY  IN  EARLY  DAYS      -------  53 

INDIAN  HOUSES      -----------  53 

WILLAMETTE  FALLS,  WILLAMETTE  RIVER  -  -      -  84 

LOVE  FEAST  TICKETS  -------  ""  &5 

PHOTOSTAT  OF  POEM  WRITTEN  BY  ANNA  MARIA 
PITTMAN  ACCEPTING  JASON  LEE*S  OFFER  OF 

MARRIAGE       --------  -      -  Il6 

PHOTOSTAT  OF  THE  PAGE  DEVOTED  TO  THE  REC- 
ORD OF  MARRIAGES  IN  THE  OREGON  MISSION 
RECORD  BOOK      ----------1 17 

MISSIONARY  PLOT,  LEE  MISSION  CEMETERY,  SA- 
LEM, OREGON       -------  -      -  148 

TOMBSTONE    OF    MRS.    JASON    LEE,    LEE    MISSION 

CEMETERY,  SALEM,  OREGON      -       -      -  -      -  149 

PHOTOSTAT     OF    A     LETTER    WRITTEN     BY    ANNA 

MARIA  PITTMAN      ---------  164 

PHOTOSTAT    OF    A     LETTER    WRITTEN     BY    ANNA 

MARIA  LEE  -----------  180 

AMERICAN  PIONEER  CABIN    --------  212 

AN    INDIAN    CANOE   TOMB       --------  212 

END  OF  A  LETTER  WRITTEN  BY  JASON  LEE       -     "      "  213 


"""*~---_  Sunday,    August    22,    193V.  . — —"""^ 

3:30  0"1  clock 
Auspices   Conference   fUstoHca.1   Society 
El e siding 7 "p-r .    Williain  V^allace   Younpson.    President 
Commemorating    the    1 00th   anniversary    of    the   founding    of    the   Oregon   Mission; 
July    18      IS37  and' the    double    "Honeymoon"    of    Jason    Lee    and    Anna    Maria    Pitman,    together 
with    Cyrus    Shepard    and    Susan    Downing,    over    the    now    Salmon   Rjver    Trai |    to   the    Ccean, 
August    22,     1837. 

Program  at    Champoeg,    August    22,     1957. 


"America"      -     All    Sing      -     Robert    Klemple,    Director. 

Hymn      -      "When    AM    Thy    Mercies". 

Anthems:      "Across    the    Sea    of    Life"  Herbert 

"Praise   Ye    the    Father"  Gounod 

Jason    Lee   Church   Young    People's   Vested    Choir. 

Invocation  The    Rev.    Walton    Skipworth,    D.    D, 

For    more    than   50  years   an    honored    member    of    the    Oregon   Conference. 

Anthem:      "Remember    Now   Thy   Creator"  Adams 

The   Jason    Lee  Church   Young    Men's   Quartette. 

The    90th    Psalm  The   Rev.    J.    R.    Jeffrey 

Pastor,    Oregon   City,    First    Protestant    Church   West    of    Rocky    Mountains. 

Hymn:      "Watchman   Tell    us    of    the    Night" 

Address:    "The   Oregon    Mission   Centennial"  The   Rev.    J.    M.    Canse,    D.    D. 

Anthems:      "The    Lord    is   My    Strenath"  Koschet 

"Are   Ye    Ab  le"  ^or latt 

The    Leslie   Church    Queen   Esther    Vested    Choir. 

Address:      "The    Honeymoon   Trip    of    the    Lee's    and    Shepard's" 

The   Rev.    William  Wallace   Ycungson,    D.    D.,    L.    L.   D. 

Hymn:       "I    Will    Sing    You    A    Scno" 

Address:      "Jason    Lee   and    Willamette    University" 

The   Rev.    Bruce   R.    Baxter    D.    D.,     L.    L.    D. 
President    Willamette    University. 

Anthem:      "Trie    Newberg   Church    Cnoir" 

Anthem:      "Sod    Sc    Loved    the   World*,      From  the   Crucifixion. 

Combined    Salem  and    Newberg   Choirs,         Robert    Klemple,    Director 

Benedlrtj.rTn Thr>  P^      '  -■■-»-    -      ■ 


V 


Hy  .11 

: 

Anti 

em: 

■ 

ptur-e: 

Jason   Lee-  "Honeymoon"   Centenary 

)In   the  Grove  at  Oceam.a"ke;  Oregon  on  the  Oregon  Coast- HiiFi.A"  -  i  South 

'  Otis  Junction,    commemorating   the  "double"   honeymoon. -of  J.-son  Lec   and   Anna  'vIar  i  a 
ittman  -together  v.ith  Cy^us  Sh^ard   ano  ^us-an  Downing  -  ovE-    t  «•;   "Old    Inoian  Trail"- 
iow  the   Salmon  River  Toil  to  the  Ocean  -  100  years  ago! 

Sunday,    August    zu ,    1937,    at    3:30  O'clock. 
•-'residing:     Dr.    William  Wallace  Young  son,   Tillamook,   Oregon. 
"PRELUDE11  Mrs.    J.    Harold    Newman 

"AMERICA"  J.    Harold    Newman,    Director 

Mrs.    Newman,    Pianist. 
Invocation:        The  Rev. -Walton  Skipworth,    D.   D., 

For  more  than  50  yearsj  an  honored  men-fccr.  of  the  Oregon  Conference,   Methodist  Church. 

"When    AM    Thy   Mercies",       Sung    July    18,     1837. 

"Soft ly    and   Tenaer  ly" 

Choir,    Methodist    Church,    Tillamook,    Mr.    Newman,    Director 

The    9.0   "Psalm"    -  The    Rev.    E.    A.    Fog g. 

Evangelical   Church,    Taft,    Oregon 
Hymn:  "Watchman,    Tell    us"    -Sung   July    18,    1837, 

Prayer:  The   Rev.   E.  C. 'Richards,    A.    M.;    Willamette    University. 

SOLO:  "Empire    Builders"    -Mrs.    Bruce    Spalding,    Dallas. 

ADDRESS:  "The    Lee    Family"    -  Mrs.    A.    E.    Austin 

Representing   the   0.    A.   P.,    Woodburft. ■ 
ADDRESS:  "The    Lee's   and    Shepard's"    -  Prof.    Robert    Mcu It  en   Gatke,     Ph.    D., 

W| I  iamette    Un  ivers ; t y . 
Hymn:  "From  Greenland's    Ice   Mountains" 

The    Boston    "Farewell    Hymn"    to   Miss    Plttman. 
Address:  "Jason    Lee   ana   Willamette    University"   -  Dr.    Bruce    Baxter; 

President    Willamette    University. 
Presentation  of    In3Ian.j  f^om  Siletz  Reservation   under  direction   of  Rev.   h.   h. 

wiles,    Pastor   Method  isOihurch. 
i.->M    OF   Mi~s7   FSTHER    BRAMMEfi    CFI^ay   OCEAN,    daughter    of    V.'ebley   Hauxhurst, 

the   first    white    person   t|o   join    the    Mission    Church,    July    13,     1837. 

He    lies    buried    in   the    "Cld   Trout    Cemetery"     in    Tillamook.      He    voted 

for    the   American    Government    -  at    the   Divide    at    Champoeg,    May    2,     1842. 

Presentation  of   Boy   Scouts  -  with   Soluiation  to  the   Flag   -  under   Direction   of 

George   Powell,    Scout    Master,    Dallas.      The    State    Police    on   the    Highway 
will    direct    you   to   Grove    and    Boy    Scouts   will    help   you    park   your   cars. 

Presentation  cf  Mrs.  Clara  3.   N;.    Fraxler  of  Cresswell,    grand  daughter  of  Cyrus 
Shepard . 

THE    RESOLUTIONS    AND   OFFERING:       The    Rev.    A.    M.    Williams,    D.    D.    Community   Church, 
Nelscott. 

Hymn:  "Oregon,    My   Oregon"    -  Tune    "Maryland",    written    by    Or.    Youngson. 

II -DICTION:       The   Rev.    Louis   Mag  in,    D.    D., 

Superintendent,    Salem  District,     Methodist    Church. 

POSTLUDE:  Mrs.    Newman. 

The    Boy   Scouts   and     Indians   will    worship   with    the   Congregation    at  the   Community 

Church, at    Nelscott    at    I  I":  00  O'clock.      Dr.    Youngson   will    preach.'    Dr.  A.    M.    Williams, 

Pastor.       Come    for    this    morning    service.       3ring    your     lunch    and    remain  for    afternoon 
meet Ing. 

Committee    on    Arrangements. 
Mrs.    H.    E.    Warren,    Crairmsn,    Ocean  lake, 

.  A.  M.  VI 1  I  1  lams,  Melscctt, 
Dr.  W.  W.  Ycuneson,  Tillamook, 
Leslie    M.- Scott,    Portland, 

O&car    Hayter,    Dallas,  \/ 

Rev.    E.    A.    Fog..,    Taft, 
Philip   I-.    Jackson,    Port  I    nd, 
Prof.    R,    M.    Gatke,    Sa  I  en, 
-*ev.    J.    E.    '-'i  I  I  ia^.r,     Salem, 
Ed.    H.    Mi  I  ler.     Mars  hf  ie  Id 


0 


D 


Mary  Ha.uxh.urst  Day  was  born  near  Salem,  Oregon  on 
November  12,  I8I4.5.   Had  she  lived  a  few  weeks  longer  she  would 
have  attained  the  age  of  92  years.   She  was  one  of  eleven  children 
born  to  Webley  Hauxhurst  and  his  wife,  Princess  Wattiet,  daughter 
of  Chief  Staywish  of  the  Yamhill  Indians. 

She  lived  in  Salem  until  she  was  sixteen,  receiving  her 
education  at  Willamette  University.  The  family  then  moved  to 
Tillamook,  settling  in  Bayocean  where  her  Father  had  purchased  36O 
acres  of  virgin  land.   She  was  a  capable  young  woman  and  while  still 
a  young  girl  gained  quite  a  reputation  in  home  nursing,  taking  the 
place  of  both  Doctor  and  nurse.   She  road  many  miles  on  horseback, 
even  before  her  marriage,  over  rough  trails  and  through  dense 
forests  to  help  in  pioneer  homes  in  time  of  sickness.   In  those 


early  days  when  even  the  necessities  of  life  were  so  hard  to  secure, 
Mary  Hauxhurst  was  noted  as  the  first  little  girl  in  Oregon  to  own 
a  wax  doll.   Her  Father  brought  it  to  her  flrom  the  East  when  he  made 
a  trip  back  to  Long  Island  to  his  old  home. 

Mary  was  married  in  1861}.  to  John  D.  Day,  a  Tillamook  Carpenter. 
Three  children  were  born  to  her;  two  boys,  George  and  John,  and  one 
girl,  Mary. 

The  later  years  of  her  life  were  spent  in  Portland  with  her 

daughter.   She  never  lost  her  zest  for  life  and  remained  an  interesting 

personality  throughout  the  years,  as  is  evident  by  the  several  interviews 

accorded  her  by  the  leading  newspapers  of  the  stat«.   She  delighted  in 

reliving  in  memory  the  events  of  her  early  life  and  reminiscing  for 

famous 
others  the  adventurous  life  of  her/Father,  and  even  so  late  as  March  of 

this  year  was  looking  forward  to  a  visit  tc  the  "beach"  and  the  scenes 

of  her  girlhood  where  she  felt  she  was  t ruly  "at  hone". 


This  is  the  rom.  ^AJaZ^ 

true  story  of  the  wiiv  /t&sl, 

first  missionary  of  an,  &X***' 

nomination  to  go  to  the  L  r9k*\ 

Oregon  Country  as  the  re-  \    *"' 

suit  of  the  visit  of  the  four  ,^ 

Flathead  Indians  to  General 
Clark  in  St.  Louis  in  1831. 
General  Clark  was  the 
Clark  of  the  great  Lewis 
and  Clark  expedition  of 
1805  sent  by  President  Jef- 
ferson to  explore  to  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean  on  the  West. 


Miss  Pittman  was  a  New 
York  girl  who  embarked  at 
Boston  for  the  trip  around 
the  Horn  to  Oregon  in 
1835.  It  was  intended  that 
when  she  arrived  in  Ore- 
gon she  was  to  be  the  bride 
of  Jason  Lee,  whom  she 
scarcely  knew,  and  it  so 
happened. 

The  lot  of  a  pioneer  mis- 
sionary wife  in  very  early 
days  was  a  hard  one.  But 
in  spite  of  all  this  there 
was  some  pleasure  and  some 
happiness  in  the  Old  Oregon 
Country  for  Mrs.  Lee. 


s^^s^^s^^s^^s^^ 


CHAPTER  I 

ANSWERING  A  CALL 

CCT\  APA>  WHERE  is  Oregon?"  Such  might  have 
yj  been  the  eager  question  asked  by  a  little  six- 
«L  year-old  girl  as  she  quietly  listened  to  her 
father  tell  of  the  plans  of  John  Jacob  Astor  to  estab- 
lish a  post  for  his  Pacific  Fur  Company  on  the  Oregon 
coast.  This  well-known  New  York  merchant  had  been 
interested  in  shipping  for  some  years.  His  ships  re- 
quired rope  for  their  rigging.  This  had  been  supplied 
from  the  ropewalk  of  George  Washington  Pittman. 

In  the  course  of  time  Mr.  Astor  and  Mr.  Pittman 
had  become  good  friends.  It  was  but  natural  then  that 
the  two  men  should  discuss  business  matters.  Astor, 
enthusiastic  over  his  new  commercial  project  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  had  told  his  friend  of  his  plans.  Perhaps 
he  had  even  placed  an  order  with  him  for  new  rope  for 
the  rigging  of  the  Tonquiny  the  vessel  which  was  to 
carry  the  company's  goods  and  many  of  its  employees 
to  the  new  country.1  Mr.  Pittman  very  likely  shared 
this  news  with  his  familv.  While  he  described  the  rich 
opportunity  for  fur  trade  in  that  distant  land,  we  can 
imagine  his  little  daughter,  Anna  Maria,  listening, 
wide-eyed  and  attentive.  Then,  overcome  with  childish 
curiosity,  she  ventured  a  question.  Its  answer  may  have 
fascinated  her  still  more. 

Perhaps,  even  then,  the  name  "Oregon"  had  some 
magic  sound  to  it.  Perhaps  it  charmed  the  small  listener 


in  some  inexplainable  way.  Scarcely  could  she  realize 
that  some  day  she  would  become  permanently  connected 
with  the  early  missionary  history  of  that  far-off  land. 
This  little  girl,  Anna  Maria  Pittman,  was  the  oldest 
of  the  thirteen  children  of  George  Washington  and 
Mary  (Spies)  Pittman.2  She  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  September  24,  1803.  The  parents  were  pious 
people,  who  dedicated  their  eldest  child  to  God  in  in- 
fancy by  baptism.3  Religious  training  was  given  all  the 
children  of  this  family  when  quite  young,  and  they  were 
taught  to  lead  God-fearing  Jives. 

The  education  of  the  little  Anna  Maria  was  begun 
early.  Her  parents  attempted  to  provide  for  her  the 
best  possible  schooling.  Since  they  were  people  of  some 
means,  they  could  afford  to  send  their  children  away  in 
order  to  obtain  better  educational  advantages.  In  the 
summer  of  1813  we  find  Anna  Maria,  then  ten  years 
old,  and  her  sister  Margaret  Eliza,  some  three  and  a 
half  years  her  junior,  in  Troy,  New  York,  awaiting  ar- 
rangements for  entering  a  private  school.  They  were 
cared  for  temporarily  in  the  home  of  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Laban  Clark,  who  had  become  acquainted  with  the 
girls'  parents  a  year  or  so  previously,  while  the  former 
was  serving  as  a  pastor  in  New  York  City. 

After  some  correspondence  with  Mr.  Pittman,  Rev. 
Clark  finally  arranged  to  enter  the  girls  in  Miss  Hull's 
school  where  they  remained  throughout  the  year.  Dur- 
ing that  time  the  two  sisters  visited  the  Clark  home 
twice  weekly,  where  the  pastor's  wife  gave  them  such 
motherly  attention  as  she  could,  and  tried  to  alleviate 
their  homesickness.4  Since  Anna  Maria  spent  only  one 
year  in  Troy,  much  of  her  education  must  have  been 
obtained  in  her  home  city. 

As  she  grew  older  her  mind  turned  to  the  more 


serious  side  of  things.  She  became  deeply  interested  in 
the  church  and  its  work.  In  the  course  of  time  this 
young  woman  came  to  manifest  a  greater  religious 
spirit  than  anyone  in  her  family.  When  about  twenty- 
five  years  of  age,  she  was  converted  to  God.  Thereupon, 
she  immediately  joined  the  church,  probably  affiliating 
with  the  Allen  Street  Church  of  New  York  City.  Miss 
Pittman  "soon  gave  evidence  of  deep  piety  and  great 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  her  Redeemer",  and  became  a 
faithful  church  worker,  attending  regularly  all  religious 
services. 

Later  on  Anna  Maria  became  imbued  with  the  de- 
sire to  make  her  life  more  useful  by  devoting  it  to  the 
conversion  of  the  Indians.  When  the  Methodist  Church 
became  interested  in  carrying  the  gospel  to  the  original 
inhabitants  of  this  continent,  and  its  missions  began  to 
attract  attention,  Miss  Pittman  made  it  known  to  the 
Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  New  York  City  that  she  wished  to  go  herself,  in 
order  to  devote  her  life  to  the  salvation  of  souls.  She 
particularly  wanted  to  go  to  the  Canadian  missions. 
Since  no  opening  presented  itself  then,  this  ardent  de- 
sire was,  for  the  time,  ungratified.5  However,  she  kept 
in  close  touch  with  the  missionary  activities  of  her 
church  and  was  interested  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Oregon  Mission. 

The  founding  of  the  first  mission  'in  the  Oregon 
country  came  about  in  a  rather  unusual  way.  Strangely 
enough,  the  request  for  missionaries  came  from  the  In- 
dians themselves.  Perhaps  through  some  Iroquois  In- 
dians who  had  come  in  contact  with  missionaries  in  the 
East  and  had  later  wandered  out  west,  or  perhaps  from 
some  chance  trader  or  trapper,  the  Flathead  Indians, 
who    lived    west    of    the    Rocky    Mountains,    learned 


that  the  white  man  possessed  a  religion  far  superior  to 
theirs.  These  red  men  became  interested  in  this  new 
religion.  A  council  was  held.  It  resulted  in  sending  a 
few  members  from  their  own  tribe  and  several  from 
the  Nez  Perce'  to  St.  Louis  to  procure  the  white  man's 
"Book  of  Heaven"  and  missionaries  who  would  come 
to  teach  them  how  to  worship  God. 

In  1831  these  Indians  set  out  on  the  long  overland 
journey.  Four  of  them  reached  their  destination.  After 
their  arrival  in  that  frontier  settlement,  they  quite  nat- 
urally came  in  contact  with  General  William  Clark,  the 
resident  United  States  Indian  Agent.  To  him  they 
seemingly  made  known  their  desires.  At  the  time  their 
efforts  to  secure  the  Bible  and  missionaries  were  un- 
availing. Two  of  the  Indians  died  in  St.  Louis.  The 
other  two  started  back  to  their  people.  One  of  them  is 
reported  to  have  died  on  the  way.  The  lone  remaining 
Indian  probably  returned  to  his  tribe.6 

Little  did  anyone  realize  then  that  this  visit  was  to 
be  an  epoch-making  one  for  Oregon.  William  Walker, 
a  Wyandotte  Indian  interpreter,  chanced  to  visit  St. 
Louis  while  these  western  Indians  were  there.  From 
them  and  from  General  Clark  he  learned  their  story. 
He  had  a  devout  Methodist  friend  in  New  York  City, 
Mr.  Gabriel  P.  Disosway,  to  whom  he  thought  this 
story  might  appeal.  He  wrote  him  a  letter,  telling  of 
the  trip  of  the  Flathead  and  Nez  Perce'  Indians  to  St. 
Louis  and  the  purpose  of  their  visit.  Mr.  Disosway  was 
greatly  impressed.  He  immediately  wrote  to  the  Chris- 
tian Advocate  and  Journal  (New  York  City),  the  offi- 
cial publication  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
made  a  strong  plea  for  missionaries  to  be  sent  to  the 
Flathead  Indians.  Mr.  Disosway's  letter,  together  with 


that  of  his  Wyandotte  friend,  was  subsequently  pub- 
lished in  the  same  paper.7 

The  account  of  this  unusual  Indian  visit  attracted  the 
immediate  attention  of  the  Methodist  Church.  It  felt 
that  its  golden  opportunity  had  arrived,  when  it  could 
carry  the  gospel  to  those  benighted  heathen  beyond  the 
Rockies.  Surely  it  could  not  let  such  a  chance  pass.  Dr. 
Wilbur  Fisk,  at  that  time  president  of  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, Middletown,  Connecticut,  was  the  first  to  take 
up  the  cause  actively.  He  strongly  urged  the  establish- 
ment of  a  mission  among  the  Flatheads  at  once.  He  felt 
that  a  person  well  qualified  to  go  as  a  missionary  to 
these  pleading  savages  was  Jason  Lee,  a  former  pupil 
of  his  at  Wesleyan  Academy,  Wilbraham,  Massachu- 
setts.    . 

This  young  man,  a  native  of  Stanstead,  Lower  Can- 
ada, was  already  seeking  an  appointment  as  a  mission- 
ary among  the  Canadian  Indians.  When  he  received  an 
offer  from  Dr.  Fisk  to  carry  the  gospel  to  the  Flat- 
heads,  he  took  steps  to  withdraw  his  application  for  the 
Canadian  appointment,  so  that  he  might  be  free  to  ac- 
cept Dr.  Fisk's  proposal.8 

Meanwhile,  the  wide  publicity  given  by  the  Christian 
Advocate  and  Journal  to  the  Flathead  Indians  had 
brought  urgent  requests  that  the  Methodist  Missionary 
Society  establish  a  mission  among  them.  Contributions 
for  the  Flathead  Mission  began  to  come  in  from  inter- 
ested readers.9  On  its  fourteenth  anniversary  meeting, 
April  23,  1833,  the  Missionary  Society  resolved  to  ex- 
tend its  activities  to  include  the  Indians  of  America.10 
Plans  for  the  Flathead  Mission  were  gotten  under  way 
at  once.  At  the  1833  session  of  the  New  England  Con- 
ference Jason  Lee  was  ordained  deacon  and  elder  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  by 


The  Reverend  Bishop  Hedding.  His  former  teacher, 
Dr.  Wilbur  Fisk,  delivered  an  address  appropriate  to 
the  occasion.11  Rev.  Daniel  Lee,  12  a  nephew  of  the 
newly  appointed  head  of  the  Flathead  Mission,  was 
chosen  to  be  his  assistant.  Cyrus  Shepard,  a  layman  from 
Lynn,  Massachusetts,  was  selected  to  accompany  the  two 
ministers. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1833  arrangements  were  made 
to  send  these  missionaries  with  Captain  Nathaniel 
Wyeth,  who  had  just  returned  from  the  Columbia  River 
region.  They  were  to  accompany  his  trading  party, 
which  was  to  start  the  following  spring  from  St.  Louis 
on  a  journey  across  the  Rocky  Mountains.13  The  mis- 
sion supplies  were  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Columbia 
River  on  Captain  Wyeth's  brig,  the  May  Dacre.1* 

On  January  29,  1 834,  Rev.  Jason  Lee  and  his  nephew 
left  New  York  for  St.  Louis,  where  they  were  to  make 
final  preparations  for  their  long  overland  trip.  On  their 
way  west  they  held  meetings  in  Philadelphia,  Balti- 
more, Washington,  and  other  important  places  in  order 
to  arouse  the  interest  of  the  public  in  the  Flathead  Mis- 
sion. Collections  for  its  establishment  were  taken  up  at 
the  same  time.15 

At  Philadelphia  Cyrus  Shepard  joined  Jason  Lee, 
and  together  they  journeyed  to  St.  Louis,  arriving  there 
on  April  4.16  Rev.  Daniel  Lee,  who  had  been  detained 
in  Baltimore,  arrived  some  days  later.  Here  they  were 
busily  engaged  in  collecting  supplies  and  purchasing 
the  necessary  animals  for  the  long  journey  across  the 
plains  and  over  the  mountains.  Cyrus  Shepard  went  on 
ahead  up  the  Missouri  River  by  steamboat  taking  with 
him  the  necessary  traveling  equipment.  This  was  to  be 
discharged  at  Independence,  Missouri,  from  whence 
most  of  the  overland  expeditions  made  their  final  de- 

8 


parture.  After  transacting  some  last-minute  business  in 
St.  Louis,  the  Lees  set  out  on  horseback  for  the  same 
place.17 

It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  two  more  men  were 
engaged  to  assist  the  missionaries  on  their  trip  and  to 
aid  them  in  starting  the  mission  after  the  arrival  at  their 
destination.  On  the  eve  of  their  departure  the  services 
of  Philip  L.  Edwards  and  Courtney  M.  Walker,  both 
from  the  neighboring  town  of  Richmond,  were  secured.18 

The  final  preparations  for  the  journey  were  com- 
pleted at  Independence.  Everything  was  in  readiness 
April  27.  The  following  morning  the  party  broke  camp. 
At  ten  o'clock  the  march  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  be- 
gan. It  must  have  been  an  imposing  sight,  indeed,  as 
seventy  men  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  horses  departed 
from  the  place  of  encampment.  Captain  Wyeth  and 
Milton  Sublette,  the  latter  an  experienced  trader  and 
trapper,  took  the  lead.  Beside  them  rode  two  natural- 
ists, John  K.  Townsend  and  Thomas  Nuttall.  Then 
followed  the  other  men  riding  in  double  file,  each  lead- 
ing two  heavily-loaded  horses.  Captain  Joseph  Thing, 
the  second  in  command,  brought  up  the  rear.  Alongside 
the  cavalcade  rode  the  missionary  band  with  its  horses 
and  cows.19 

The  route  followed  was  the  customary  one  taken  by 
all  overland  parties.  It  has  gone  down  in  history  as  the 
famous  Oregon  Trail.  Twenty  miles  constituted  the 
average  day's  journey.  There  was  a  halt  at  noontime. 
Camp  was  made  early  in  the  afternoon  in  order  to  give 
the  animals  sufficient  time  to  graze  before  dark;  then 
they  were  brought  within  the  circle  of  tents  for  the 
night.20  The  missionaries  shared  in  all  the  labors  of  the 
march  and  of  the  camp.21 

On  June  20  the  Wyeth  party  arrived  at  Ham's  Fork, 


the  rendezvous  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  fur  traders  and 
trappers.22  For  sometime  the  entire  party  had  looked 
forward  to  reaching  this  place.  Here  a  twelve  days' 
stop  afforded  the  travel-worn  men  and  animals  an  op- 
portunity to  rest  and  recover  their  strength. 

Various  tribes  of  Indians  from  the  surrounding  coun- 
try, with  their  wives  and  children,  all  gaily  decked  in 
Indian  finery,  attended  these  summer  rendezvous.  Of 
particular  interest  to  the  emissaries  of  the  gospel  was 
the  presence  of  some  from  the  Flathead  and  Nez 
Perce'  tribes.  Jason  Lee  felt  that  these  Indians  were 
most  anxious  to  have  the  missionaries  establish  them- 
selves in  their  country.  They  even  expressed  to  him  a 
desire  to  adopt  the  customs  of  civilized  men.22 

After  a  much  needed  rest  the  Wyeth  party  moved  on 
July  2.  Two  days  later  the  Flathead  Indians  came  to 
Jason  Lee  and  told  him  that  they  were  about  to  take 
their  departure.  They  were  anxious  to  know  if  the  mis- 
sionaries intended  to  come  back  and  stop  at  the  Flat- 
head camp.  He  did  not  give  them  a  positive  answer, 
but  apparently  put  them  off  by  saying  that  he  did  not 
know  whether  his  party  could  find  their  camp.  He 
added  that  if  they  would  come  where  Captain  Wyeth 
planned  to  build  his  fort  that  he  would  go,  providing 
it  was  not  too  far,  and  see  their  chief  and  talk  with  him 
about  locating  among  their  tribe.  He  told  them  that  if 
the  missionaries  did  not  come  that  winter  they  would 
come  the  next,  or  the  following.24 

The  party  arrived,  on  July  15,  at  the  site  Captain 
Wyeth  had  chosen  for  his  establishment.  Here  Fort 
Hall  was  erected.  The  day  after  hunters  were  sent  out 
to  procure  and  dry  sufficient  buffalo  meat  for  the  jour- 
ney across  the  mountains.  A  few  days  later  the  camp 
was  increased  by  the  arrival  of  the  trading  company  of 

10 


Captain  Thomas  McKay.  The  next  Sunday  this  gentle- 
man requested  Rev.  Jason  Lee  to  conduct  public  wor- 
ship. This  was  the  first  opportunity  afforded  him  to 
hold  Sunday  services  since  the  expedition  had  started. 
Many  of  the  members  of  both  parties  assembled  in  a 
near-by  grove  where  Rev.  Lee  gave  a  short  exhortation. 

Shortly  after  the  service  was  conducted  Captain  Mc- 
Kay's Canadians  indulged  in  a  horse-race,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  fatal  injury  of  one  of  the  participants.  This 
young  man  was  a  Roman  Catholic.  Since  there  was  no 
priest  available,  Captain  McKay  requested  Jason  Lee 
to  read  the  funeral  service. 

While  waiting  here  several  Indians  presented  the 
emissaries  of  the  gospel  with  two  fine  white  hoises 
solely  ( ? )  because  they  were  missionaries.  The  mission 
superintendent  felt  that  surely  Providence  must  have 
had  a  hand  in  this,  especially  since  two  of  their  horses 
were  nearly  worn  out.  He  thought  that  this  augured 
well  for  their  work  among  the  heathen  red  men. 

The  missionaries  departed  for  the  west  several  days 
later  in  company  with  the  trading  party  of  Captain 
Thomas  McKay.  They  deemed  it  best  to  join  with  him 
since  Captain  Wyeth  had  not  yet  completed  the  erec- 
tion of  his  fort.  When  it  was  finished,  he  intended 
traveling  very  rapidly,  as  he  had  little  baggage.  There- 
fore, it  would  be  impossible  for  the  .missionaries  to  take 
their  cows.25  After  sixteen  days  of  rather  difficult  going 
Captain  McKay  left  them.  They  then  continued  their 
journey  in  company  with  Captain  Stewart,  an  English 
gentleman,  who  had  joined  the  Wyeth  party  at  the 
rendezvous.26  With  no  difficulty  they  found  their  way 
to  the  Hudson's  Bay  post  at  Fort  Wallah  wallah.  Here 
they  were  most  hospitably  entertained  for  several  days 
by  Pierre  C.  Pamburn,  the  governor  of  the  fort.  Ar- 

11 


rangements  were  made  to  leave  their  animals  at  this 
frontier  outpost  and  to  receive  others  in  exchange  when 
they  arrived  at  Fort  Vancouver.  In  the  meantime,  Cap- 
tain Wyeth  and  his  party  arrived  at  the  same  post. 
Again  the  missionaries  cast  their  lot  with  him.  Together 
they  proceeded  by  boat  down  the  beautiful  Columbia, 
on  the  last  lap  of  their  transcontinental  trip,  with  the 
Pacific  as  their  goal.  A  twelve  days'  journey,  delayed 
considerably  by  head  winds,  landed  the  party  at  Fort 
Vancouver  on  September  15,  1834.  Dr.  John  Mc- 
Loughlin,  the  grand  old  man  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  in  the  Northwest,  gave  them  a  most  cordial 
welcome.  A  spacious  room  was  assigned  to  the  gospel- 
carriers  for  their  own  use.  Again  they  slept  within  the 
four  walls  of  a  house  and  enjoyed  good  food,  which 
was  to  them  a  luxury,  after  the  "dry  living"  they  had 
had  for  so  many  months.  The  evening  of  the  same  day 
the  glad  news  was  received  that  Captain  Wyeth's  brig, 
the  May  Dacre,  was  in  sight  of  the  fort.  The  last  re- 
port of  the  boat  was  that  it  was  stuck  on  a  sand  bar. 
Now  the  missionaries  were  assured  that  all  their  things 
were  safe.27 

It  had  been  more  than  a  year  since  Jason  Lee  set  out 
from  his  home  to  answer  the  call  to  carry  the  gospel 
to  the  Flathead  Indians.  After  months  of  toil  and  priva- 
tion, he  and  his  followers  had,  at  last,  arrived  at  their 
journey's  end.  Now  they  were  eager  and  anxious  to 
begin  their  Christian  labors. 

1. — Mr.  Pittman  failed  in  business  several  times.  Mr.  Astor  offered 
him  financial  assistance  in  order  to  start  over  again,  but  it  was  refused. 
Mr.  Pittman  did  not  wish  to  be  under  financial  obligations  to  his  friend, 
preferring  instead  to  re-establish  his  business  through  his  own  efforts. 
Remarks  of  members  of  the  Pittman  family. 

2. — The  family  name  was  originally  spelled  with  one  t,  but,  due  to  the 
confusion  of  mail  and  business  matters,  the  branch  of  the  family  to  which 

12 


George  Washington  Pittman  belonged,  added  another  /  to  distinguish  it 
from  the  others. 

3. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  February  8,  1839,  XIII,  100.  The 
baptismal  record  of  Anna  Maria  has  not  been  found,  though  those  of 
several  others  of  the  Pittman  children  have  been  recorded  in  A  register 
of  baptisms  for  the  Fourth-Street  Church,  New  York,  MS.,  and  A  church 
record  of  Allen  Street  Mission  House,  July  4,  1822,  MS.  Both  churches 
are  of  the  Methodist  denomination. 

4. — Laban  Clark  to  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy,  [New  York],  August 
10,  1813;  Harriet  Clark  to  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy,  [New  York], 
October  12,  1813;  and  Laban  Clark  to  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy,  [New 
York],  January  18,  1814. 

5. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  February  8,  1839,  XIII,  100. 

6. — There  are  many  conflicting  accounts  concerning  the  visit  of  these 
four  Indians  to  St.  Louis.  No  doubt  there  is  some  truth  to  the  story  in  the 
main.  I  have  given  only  a  very  brief  account  of  the  Indian  deputation 
and  have  stated  only  the  facts  upon  which  all  writers  seem  to  agree  more 
or  less.  There  is  a  vast  amount  of  conflicting  detail  which  might  be 
interesting  for  further  reading.  See  Rev.  A.  Atwood,  The  conquerors, 
ch.  I;  Hubert  Howe  Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon,  I,  54-55  and  note; 
William  Barrow,  Oregon — The  struggle  for  possession,  ch.  XIII;  James 
W.  Bashford,  The  Oregon  missions  ch.  I ;  Cornelius  James  Brosnan, 
Jason  Lee,  prophet  of  the  new  Oregon,  ch.  I ;  Charles  Henry  Carey,  His- 
tory of  Oregon,  329-330,  notes  9  and  10;  H.  K.  Hines,  Missionary  his- 
tory of  the  Pacific  Northwest,  36-39;  D.  Lee  and  J.  H.  Frost,  Ten  years 
in  Oregon,  109-110;  and  Lawrence  B.  Palladino,  Indian  and  white  in  the 
Northwest,  ch.  II. 

7.— Issue  of  March  1,  1833,  VII,  105. 

8. — William  B.  Sprague,  Annals  of  the  American  Methodist  pulpit, 
793,  and  H.  K.  Hines,  Missionary  history  of  the  Pacific  Northwest,  48-51. 

9. — Subsequent  issues  of  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  and  the 
New  England  Christian  Herald,  (later  2<ion's  Herald)  for  1833. 

10. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  May  10,  1833,  VII,  147. 

11.— New  England  Christian  Herald,  June  19,  1833,  IV,  150. 

12. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  August  29,  1834,  IX,  3. 

13.— Ibid.,  December  13,  1833,  VIII,  63. 

14. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  113. 

15. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  January.  31,  1834,  VIII,  91. 

16.— Ibid.,  April  25,  1834,  VIII,  139. 

17. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  113. 

18.— Ibid.,  113-114,  and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  April  29,  1834,"  Chris- 
tian Advocate  and  Journal,  June  13,  1834,  VIII,  166. 

19. — John  K.  Townsend,  "Narrative  of  a  journey  across  the  Rocky 
Mountains  to  the  Columbia  River,  etc.,"  Reuben  Gold  Thwaites,  Early 
Western  Travels,  141 ;  Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  114;  and 
"Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Rocky  Mountains,  June  25,  1834,"  Christian  Advo- 
cate and  Journal,  October  3,  1834,  IX,  22.  There  are  some  minor  differ- 
ences in  these  three  accounts. 

20. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  115,  and  "Letter  of  Jason 

13 


Lee,  Rocky  Mountains,  June  25,  1834,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal, 
October  3,  1834,  IX,  22. 

21. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Rocky  Mountains,  July  1,  1834,"  Christian 
Advocate  and  Journal,  September  26,  1834,  IX,  18.  See  also  "Diary  of 
Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XVII, 
passim. 

22. — "The  rendezvous  for  1834  changed  sites  several  times;  see  Wyeth's 
Oregon  Expedition,  p.  225.  The  Rocky  Mountain  men  were  first  met  on 
Green  River;  the  twentieth,  they  moved  over  to  Ham's  Fork  which  was 
on  the  twenty-seventh  again  ascended  a  short  distance  for  forage." 
Thwaites,  Early  western  travels,  XXI,  192,  note  40.  "Ham's  Fork  is  a 
western  affluent  of  Black  Fork  of  Green  River  in  southwestern  Wyoming. 
It  was  an  important  stream  on  the  Oregon  Trail,  ..."  Ibid.,  XXI,  197, 
note  43. 

23. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Rocky  Mountains,  June  25,  1834,"  Chris- 
tian Advocate  and  Journal,  October  3,  1834,  IX,  22.  See  also  "Diary  of 
Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XVII, 
139,  142,  and  "Journal  of  Cyrus  Shepard."  TJon's  Herald,  September  24, 

1834,  V.  154. 

24. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  142,  and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Willamette  River, 
February  6,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  October  3,  1834, 
X,  37. 

25. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  146,  240-243,  and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Willamette 
River,  February  6,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  October  30, 

1835,  X,  37. 

26. — Thwaites,  Early  western  travels,  XXI,  197. 

27. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  His- 
torical Society,  XVII,  243-262;  Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  124; 
and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Willamette  River,  February  6,  1835,"  Christian 
Advocate  and  Journal,  October  20,  1935,  X,  37. 


14 


CHAPTER  II 

ESTABLISHING  THE  MISSION 

THE  FIRST  problem  confronting  Jason  Lee  and 
his  companions  was  the  selection  of  a  suitable  site 
for  the  field  of  their  missionary  enterprise.  Dr. 
McLoughlin  was  very  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  they 
should  locate  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Van- 
couver. The  mission  superintendent  felt  that  this  hos- 
pitable gentleman  was  glad  that  the  missionaries  had 
come  to  the  country.  He  offered  them  all  possible  as- 
sistance. Four  days  after  their  arrival,  he  completely 
outfitted  the  Lees  with  boats,  men,  and  provisions  for 
an  expedition  up  the  Willamette  River  to  examine  the 
country  for  a  favorable  site. 

During  the  ensuing  week  various  places  were  care- 
fully inspected  for  a  distance  of  fifty  miles  or  so  up 
the  river.  Jason  Lee  was  greatly  troubled  regarding  the 
selection  of  the  right  location. 

"Could  I  but  know  the  identical  place  that  the  Lord  designs 
for  us,"  he  wrote  in  his  diary,  "be  it  where  it  may,  even  a 
thousand  miles  in  the  interior,  it  would  be  a  matter  of  great 
rejoicing." 

Then  invoking  Divine  guidance,  he  continued, 

"O,  my  God,  direct  us  to  the  right  spot  where  we  can  best 
glorify  thee  and  be  most  useful  to  these  degraded  red  men." 

After  eight  days  spent  in  exploring,  the  expedition 
returned  to  Fort  Vancouver.  By  that  time  Jason  Lee 

15 


had  nearly  made  up  his  mind  to  establish  his  mission 
on  the  Willamette  River.  He  must  have  fully  decided 
upon  the  location  within  the  next  day  or  two,  because, 
three  days  later,  on  September  29,  1834,  the  mission- 
aries, with  the  exception  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  who  was 
left  at  Fort  Vancouver  because  of  ill  health,  departed 
for  the  Willamette.  They  were  again  outfitted  by  the 
kindly  Dr.  McLoughlin.1 

Just  how  much  influence  this  good  gentleman  had  in 
causing  the  establishment  of  the  mission  in  Oregon  may 
be  surmised  from  his  own  statement. 

"In  1834  Messrs.  Jason  and  Daniel  Lee,  and  Messrs.  Walker 
and  P.  L.  Edwards  came  with  Mr.  Wyeth  to  establish  a  mis- 
sion in  the  Flathead  country.  I  observed  to  them  that  it  was 
too  dangerous  for  them  to  establish  a  mission;  that  to  do  good 
to  the  Indians  they  must  establish  themselves  where  they 
could  collect  them  around  them;  teach  them  first  to  cultivate 
the  ground  and  live  more  comfortably  than  they  do  by  hunt- 
ing, and  as  they  do  this  teach  them  religion ;  that  the  Willam- 
ette afforded  them  a  fine  field;  that  they  ought  to  go  there 
and  they  would  get  the  same  assistance  as  the  settlers.  They 
followed  my  advice  and  went  to  the  Willamette."2 

The  mission  superintendent  left  no  record  telling 
why  he  selected  the  site  he  did.  In  his  diary  he  merely 
stated, 

"To  the  Willamette  we  have  concluded  to  go."3 

In  his  correspondence  under  date  of  September  29,  he 
wrote, 

"It  being  too  late  in  the  season  to  go  up  the  Columbia  this 
year,  we  left  Vancouver  for  Willamette,  having,  for  various 
reasons,  concluded  to  make  an  establishment  there."4 

What  the  "various  reasons"  were  he  did  not  say.  Per- 
haps the  nearness  of  the  location  to  the  Columbia  River, 

16 


from  which  supplies  could  be  easily  forwarded,  and  the 
close  proximity  to  Fort  Vancouver,  which  could  be  re- 
lied upon  for  assistance  in  time  of  need,  were  the  chief 
determining  factors  in  making  the  selection. 

The  mission  had  been  originally  planned  for  the 
Flathead  Indians.  It  was  they,  in  company  with  their 
Nez  Perce'  kinsmen,  who  first  made  a  request  for  mis- 
sionaries. It  was  this  cry  of  the  forest  children  that  in- 
spired the  Methodist  Church  to  take  up  the  salvation 
of  their  souls.  Just  what  made  Jason  Lee  hesitate  about 
establishing  the  Flathead  Mission,  as  it  had  been  desig- 
nated by  the  Missionary  Society,  among  the  Flathead 
Indians  is  a  matter  of  conjecture.  When  he  met  some 
of  these  Indians  at  the  rendezvous  on  Ham's  Fork,  they 
seemed  anxious  to  have  the  missionaries  come  to  their 
tribe  j  yet  this  emissary  of  the  gospel  gave  them  no 
positive  assurance  that  they  would  come.  The  proposed 
visit  to  the  Flathead  chief,  while  Captain  Wyeth  was 
building  Fort  Hall,  did  not  take  place.  The  Indian 
camp  proved  too  far  away,  according  to  Lee.5 

Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  a  missionary  who  came  to  Ore- 
gon a  few  years  later,  offered  the  following  explana- 
tion regarding  their  failure  to  go  to  their  intended 
destination: 

". . .  They  [the  Lees]  ascertained,  on  their  journey  down  from 
Fort  Hall,  that  the  Flat  Head  tribe  of  Indians  was  not  only 
very  small,  but  very  disadvantageously  situated  for  the  estab- 
lishment and  support  of  missionary  operations  among  them ;  and 
this  brought  them  to  the  determination  to  proceed  down  to  the 
lower  country,  to  find  a  more  eligible  site  for  the  location  of 
the  mission."6 

Neither  in  his  diary  nor  in  his  correspondence  does 
Jason  Lee  make  any  such  suggestion  as  being  the  rea- 
son why  they  did  not  establish  a  mission  among  the 

17 


Flatheads.  But  it  is  quite  possible  that  he  acquired  much 
information  that  he  did  not  put  down  in  writing.  When 
they  started  on  their  journey  the  missionaries  intended 
to  go  to  Oregon  first.  Had  not  their  goods  been  sent  by 
boat  to  the  Columbia  River?  It  was  necessary  for  them 
to  go  there  to  procure  these  goods  and  transport  them 
to  the  mission  wherever  they  might  establish  it.  Conse- 
quently, they  would  be  quite  justified  in  not  stopping 
with  the  Flatheads  on  their  way  out.  But  why  did  the 
missionaries  not  return  to  establish  a  mission  among 
this  tribe? 

Daniel  Lee  asserted  that  the  claims  of  the  Flathead 
Indians  were  not  sufficient  to  induce  them  to  do  so. 
First,  he  offered  a  very  practical  reason, — the  difficulty 
of  living  in  so  remote  and  inaccessible  a  region.  It  would 
be  a  hard  task  to  transport  all  the  necessary  tools  and 
implements  for  building  and  farming  from  Fort  Van- 
couver to  a  place  some  six  hundred  miles  inland.  Sec- 
ondly, he  said,  the  number  of  Flathead  Indians  was 
small  j  it  had  been  kept  so  by  perpetual  war  with  the 
Blackfoot  tribe.  The  latter  were  likewise,  considered 
as  enemies  of  the  white  man,  and  could  be  expected  to 
attack  the  missionaries  should  they  help  their  Flathead 
foes.  Lastly,  he  believed  that 

"A  larger  field  of  usefulness  was  contemplated  as  the  object 
of  the  mission  than  the  benefit  of  a  single  tribe.  The  wants 
of  the  whole  country,  present  and  prospective,  so  far  as  they 
could  be,  were  taken  into  the  account,  and  the  hope  of  meeting 
these  wants,  in  the  progress  of  their  work,  led  to  the  choice  of 
the  Walamet  location,  as  a  starting  point,  a  place  to  stand  on, 
and  the  centre  of  a  wide  circle  of  benevolent  action."7 

A  few  years  later,  when  in  the  East  seeking  help  for 
his  mission,  Rev.  Lee,  in  an  address,  endeavored  to 
justify  himself  for  establishing  his  mission  in  Oregon, 

18 


instead  of  where  the  Missionary  Society  had  planned. 
He  said: 

"It  was  among  the  real  Flatheads  that  we  located  our  mis- 
sion, for  it  was  left  with  us  to  locate  where,  in  our  opinion, 
after  having  surveyed  the  ground,  we  could  do  the  most  good. 
Besides,  we  left  with  the  impression,  that  if  we  found  the  door 
open  for  missionary  operations,  that  the  church  would  enter 
heartily  into  the  work,  and  other  missionaries  be  sent.  We  there- 
fore chose  a  central  location  advantageous  for  a  principal 
station."8 

On  October  6,  1834,  the  missionary  band,  with  a 
part  of  its  equipment,  arrived  at  its  destination.  The 
trip  up  the  river  had  been  a  difficult  and  fatiguing  one. 
We  may  be  sure  that  the  men  were  more  than  glad  to 
pitch  their  tent  on  the  spot  where  they  were  to  remain.9 
The  site  selected  was  on  the  east  bank  of  the  beautiful 
Willamette  River  about  sixty  miles  from  its  mouth. 
Here  was  a  broad,  rich  valley,  well  watered,  and  well 
suited  to  their  agricultural  needs.  Nearby  untouched 
forests  stood  ready  and  waiting  to  be  used.10 

The  rainy  season  in  that  region  was  now  close  at 
hand.  It  was  therefore  necessary  that  they  begin  at  once 
to  erect  the  mission  house.  These  gospel-carriers  were 
forced  to  become  jacks-of-all  trades.  They  felled  the 
trees,  hewed  the  logs,  turned  carpenter  and  ox-driver, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  performed  the  duties  of  a  house- 
wife. In  the  course  of  four  weeks,  the  house  was  well 
under  way  and  the  roof  partly  on.  The  rains  had  com- 
menced, making  living  in  a  tent  quite  unpleasant.  On 
the  third  day  of  November  they  found  more  comfort- 
able quarters  in  their  partially  finished  dwelling. 

The  original  mission  building  was  thirty-two  by 
eighteen  feet,  and  a  story  and  a  half  high.  It  was  con- 
structed of  logs  hewn  only  on  the  inside.  The  floors 

19 


were  made  of  planks,  split  and  hewn.  Within  were  two 
rooms.  The  building  had  four  windows,  the  sashes  of 
which  were  partly  made  by  Jason  Lee  with  his  jack- 
knife.  A  good  chimney  was  built  of  clay  and  sand.  The 
most  necessary  homemade  furniture  was  added  later. 

On  Sundays  the  superintendent  of  the  mission  was 
delighted  with  the  opportunity  of  holding  religious 
services  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Joseph  Gervais,  a  French 
Canadian  and  a  Roman  Catholic.  Formerly,  he  had 
been  an  employee  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  but 
had  since  settled  upon  a  farm  about  two  miles  away. 
Most  of  the  neighbors  assembled  at  his  home  to  hear 
the  gospel  preached,  though  probably  not  more  than 
half  could  understand  what  was  said.11  For  the  most 
part  the  audience  was  made  up  of  French  Canadians, 
the  retired  servants  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
with  their  native  wives  and  half-breed  children.  Later 
services  were  held  at  the  mission  itself. 

The  Mission  House  was  not  yet  completed  when  the 
first  Indian  children  were  received,  and  active  mission- 
ary work  was  begun.  The  mission  family  was  increased 
during  the  ensuing  year  by  the  addition  of  other  In- 
dian children,  who  came  to  it  for  the  most  part  as  desti- 
tute, dirty  charges.  But  the  missionaries  cheerfully  ac- 
cepted them  and  began  their  instruction.  There  were 
ten  children  under  the  care  of  these  kind  people  at  the 
close  of  1835.12 

It  was  necessary  for  this  religious  establishment  to 
raise  its  own  food.  During  the  first  winter  a  field  of 
thirty  acres  was  enclosed  and  plowed.  The  following 
spring  it  was  planted  to  grain  and  vegetables.13  A  fair- 
ly good  crop  was  produced,14  which  was  practically  suf- 
ficient to  feed  the  missionaries  and  the  Indian  children 


20 


within  their  fold.  A  log  barn,  thirty-two  by  forty  feet, 
was  built  in  which  to  store  the  grain.15 

It  was  felt  that  the  greatest  benefit  to  the  natives 
could  be  accomplished  by  means  of  a  school.  Under  the 
capable  direction  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  who  had  spent  his 
first  winter  in  Oregon  teaching  at  Fort  Vancouver,  a 
Sabbath  School  was  opened  at  the  mission  on  April  5, 
1835.  It  was  the  first  of  its  kind  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  A  day  school  was  started  later.  These  were 
attended  by  the  Indian  charges  at  the  mission  and  the 
half-breed  children  of  the  neighboring  settlers.  Some 
adults  also  enrolled  in  the  day  school,  "several  of  whom 
began  with  the  alphabet."  The  rudiments  of  learning 
and  religion  constituted  the  course  of  instructions  which 
later  came  to  be  given  daily.  There  was  so  much  work 
to  be  done  about  the  mission  that  the  pupils  were,  of 
necessity,  called  upon  to  do  their  share.16  Consequently, 
the  whole  day  could  not  be  devoted  to  teaching. 

At  the  end  of  a  year  and  a  half  of  instruction  the 
mission  teacher  reported  his  swarthy  pupils  as  "making 
pleasing  improvement  in  spelling,  reading,  committing 
catechism,  singing  hymns,  &c.  &c.".  Nineteen  were  then 
under  daily  instruction,  and  several  additions  to  the 
mission  family  were  expected  shortly.  A  school  house 
was  now  greatly  needed,  but  more  pressing  labors  de- 
layed its  construction.17 

Despite  the  apparently  favorable  progress  made  by 
the  mission  school,  everything  else  about  the  establish- 
ment had  not  been  so  rosy.  During  the  first  two  years 
of  the  mission's  existence  some  of  the  children  admitted 
became  ill  and  died.  This  had  a  rather  harmful  effect, 
because  the  superstitious  Indians  felt  that  there  must  be 
"bad  medicine"  at  the  Mission  House,  and  they  were 
reluctant  to  allow  their  children  to  go  there.18 

21 


During  the  first  and  second  summers  the  missionaries 
themselves  were  afflicted  with  fever  and  ague  so  that 
they  could  scarcely  perform  their  duties.19  Daniel  Lee 
was  forced  to  seek  relief  from  a  pulmonary  infection 
by  spending  the  second  winter  in  the  Hawaiian 
Islands.20  Yet  through  all  their  afflictions  they  main- 
tained a  cheerful  spirit  and  a  strong  determination  to 
carry  on  their  missionary  work. 

The  necessary  labor  incidental  to  maintaining  a  mis- 
sion bore  heavily  upon  the  few  devoted  workers.  There 
was  an  increasing  number  of  Indian  children  to  be  fed, 
clothed,  educated,  and  taught  to  labor.  All  this  work 
fell  to  the  missionaries  themselves,  who,  with  the  re- 
curring illnesses  among  them  and  their  charges,  almost 
broke  under  the  heavy  strain.  Additional  help  was 
greatly  needed  to  relieve  them  of  their  multifarious 
duties,  for  they  had  "been  obliged  to  act  in  the  capacity 
of  joiners,  carpenters,  masons,  farmers,  physicians, 
tailors,  mantua-makers,  cooks,  schoolmasters,  preachers, 
&c.  &cj  .  .  .  ".  It  is  no  wonder  that  they  became  weary 
of  the  work.21 

At  the  same  time  they  were  most  anxious  to  extend 
the  field  of  their  labors.  They  were  now  in  a  position 
to  raise  sufficient  food  to  support  a  larger  number  of 
children.  There  were  numerous  Indian  youths  on  the 
Pacific  Coast,  growing  up  in  ignorance  of  the  saving 
grace  of  God,  whom  the  missionaries  were  most  anx- 
ious to  convert.  An  addition  to  the  Mission  House, 
thirty-two  by  sixteen  feet,  had  been  built,  but  it  was 
inadequate.  More  room,  ample  supplies,  a  larger  num- 
ber of  tools,  and,  most  of  all,  more  help  were  neces- 
sary. 

1. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  262-266.  Compare  with  pp.  379-400. 

22 


2.— Private  papers  of  Dr.  John  McLoughlzn,  MS.  Also  quoted  in  H.  K. 
Hines,  Missionary  history  of  the  Pacific  Northwest,  91. 

3. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  266. 

4. — "Letter  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,  Willamette  River,  February  6,  1835," 
Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  October  30,  1835,  X,  37. 

5.— Ibid.,  X,  37. 

6. — Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the  world  with  a  history 
of  the  Oregon  Mission,  Cover-title:  Missionary  expedition  to  Oregon,  11. 

7. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  127. 

8. — "The  Oregon  Mission,"  [Address  of  Jason  Lee  at  Bromneld  Street 
Church,  Boston,  January  27,  1839],  Zion's  Herald,  February  6,  1839, 
X,  22.  Those  of  the  tribe  usually  called  Flatheads  have  not  flat  but  round 
heads,  and  are  more  properly  called  Salish.  They  inhabited  the  region  of 
western  Montana.  It  was  the  Chinook  Indians  who  actually  flattened 
their  heads.  The}'  were  one  of  several  tribes  among  which  the  Lees  es- 
tablished their  mission. 

9. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  401,  and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Willamette  River, 
February  6,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  October  30,  1835, 
X,  37. 

10. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  125,  and  "Letter  of  Jason 
Lee,"  Willamette  River,  February  6,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Jour- 
nal October  30,  1835,  X,  37. 

11. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  128;  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee, 
Willamette  River,  February  6,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal, 
October  30,  1835,  X,  37,  and  "The  Mission  Record  Book  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  Willamette  Station,  Oregon  Territory,  North 
American,  commenced  1834,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical 
Society,  XXIII,  235.  In  the  future  this  last  item  will  be  referred  to  as 
"Oregon  Mission  Record  Book." 

12. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,  235-241,  and  "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Fort 
Vancouver,  10th  January,  1835,"  Z ion's  Herald,  October  28,  1835,  VI, 
170. 

13. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  129. 

14. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,   237. 

15. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  Octo- 
ber 8,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  Extra  immediately  fol- 
lowing June  24,  1836,  X,  and  "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Willamette 
River,  O.  T.,  September  18,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal, 
August  19,  1836,  X,  206.    ' 

16.— "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Willamette  River,  O.  T.,  September 
28,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  August  19,  1836,  X,  206, 
and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  March  14, 
1836,"  Ibid.,  XI,  6. 

17. — "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Mission  House,  Willamette,  28th 
October,  1836,"  Zion's  Herald,  July  19,  1837,  VIII,  114. 

23 


18. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XIII,  passim. 

19. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  October 
8,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  Extra  immediately  following 
June  24,  1836,  X;  "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Mission  House,  Willamette 
River,  O.  T.,  7th  Oct.,  1835,"  Zion's  Herald,  July  13,  1836,  XII,  111 
"Letters  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Willamette  River,  O.  T.,  September  28 
1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  August  19,  1836,  X,  206;  "Let 
ter  of  Jason  Lee,  Brig  Loriot,  Columbia  River,  off  the  Willamette,  Jan 
uary  18,  1837,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  June  9,  1837,  XI,  166: 
and  "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Mission  House,  Willamette,  28th  Octo- 
ber, 1836,"  Zion's  Herald,  July  19,  1837,  VIII,  114. 

20. — Interesting  letters  from  Daniel  Lee  telling  of  his  sojourn  in  the 
Islands  appear  in  Zion's  Herald,  June  22,  1836,  and  Christian  Advocate 
and  Journal,  July  29,  1836;  November  11,  1836;  and  November  18, 
1836. 

21. — "Letter  of  Cyrus  Shepard,  Mission  House,  Wallamette,  28th  Oc- 
tober, 1836,"  Zion's  Herald,  July  19,  1837,  and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee, 
Mission  House,  Willamette,  March  28,  1837,"  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal,  November  3,  1837.  XII,  42. 


24 


^&^^&^>l^S^^^Sl!^S 


CHAPTER  III 

SENDING  FOR  HELP 

JASON  LEE  was  fully  conscious  of  the  need  of  an 
adequate  reenforcement  to  the  small  missionary 
group,  if  its  work  was  to  be  successful.  First  of  all, 
it  was  necessary  to  provide  for  the  temporal  needs  of 
the  mission.  An  ample  food  supply  was  indispensable. 
In  order  to  relieve  the  missionaries  of  so  much  labor  in 
the  field,  the  superintendent  sent  a  request  to  the  Mis- 
sion Board  that  a  farmer  with  a  family  be  sent  to  Ore- 
gon.1 This  man  could,  at  the  same  time,  teach  farming 
to  the  natives,  which  would  enable  them  to  reside  more 
permanently  around  the  establishment. 

The  need  for  additional  missionaries  was  also  stated. 
Jason  Lee  asked  that  a  married  preacher  and  some 
school  teachers  be  sent.  The  Mission  Board  was  fully 
in  sympathy  with  his  views  in  this  matter.  At  its  regular 
meeting,  October  21,  1835,  it  passed  the  following 
resolution: 

"Resolved,  .  .  .  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  board  it  is  expedient 
to  send  by  way  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  or  otherwise  by  water, 
a  married  missionary  and  likewise  the  young  lady  spoken  of 
by  bro.  Lee,  as  being  affianced  to  Daniel  Lee,  provided  she  is 
willing  to  go." 

Plans  were  made  to  communicate  Jason  Lee's  re- 
quest to  Bishops  Hedding  and  Emory,  since  they  alone 
had  the  power  to  appoint  the  ministers.  At  the  same 
meeting  a  resolution  was  also  passed  asking  the  bishops 

25 


to  change  the  name  from  the  Flathead  Mission  to  the 
Oregon  Mission.2  This  request  was  evidently  granted, 
for  all  later  references  to  it  are  by  the  latter  name. 

Rev.  Lee  was  anxious  that  white  women  accompany 
the  reenforcement,  hence  his  request  for  married  men. 
At  the  time  the  missionaries  were  sent  to  establish  the 
mission,  it  was  deemed  best  that  no  women  accompany 
them.3  The  men  soon  found  that  the  domestic  duties, 
which  they  were  forced  to  perform,  made  heavy  in- 
roads upon  their  already  over-full  time.  It  was  essen- 
tial that  women  be  sent  to  relieve  them  of  those  labors. 
Then,  too,  the  influence  that  the  presence  of  Christian 
women  at  the  mission  would  have  upon  the  native  fe- 
males could  not  be  overestimated.4 

The  superintendent  also  asked  that  the  reenforce- 
ment  include  a  blacksmith  among  the  members,  so  that 
the  missionaries  could  be  relieved  of  the  task  of  making 
and  repairing  their  tools. 

An  earnest  appeal  was  made  for  a  physician,  who 
could  attend  the  sick,  when  the  occasion  demanded,  and 
teach  or  engage  in  some  other  work  between  times. 
There  had  been  much  illness  at  the  mission  during  its 
existence.  The  nearest  physician  was  the  kind-hearted 
Dr.  John  McLoughlin  at  Fort  Vancouver,  sixty  miles 
away.5  The  missionaries  themselves  had  been  forced  to 
go  there  for  medical  advice,  with  a  consequent  loss  of 
time  from  their  missionary  work.  In  several  cases  they 
had  found  it  necessary  to  take  sick  mission  children  on 
that  hard  sixty  mile  trip  in  order  to  consult  a  doctor.6 

The  Board  of  Managers  acted  favorably  upon  all  the 
requests  of  Jason  Lee  for  an  additional  reenforcement 
and  for  supplies.  At  a  special  meeting  called  for  that 
purpose,  December  2,  1835,  the  members  resolved 
unanimously, 

26 


"to  send  out  an  additional  missionary,  with  a  wife,  a  physician, 
and  a  blacksmith,  and  two  young  ladies  as  school  teachers,  to- 
gether with  a  number  of  articles  for  barter,  as  well  as  farming 
utensils  and  tools  for  mechanics." 

At  the  same  time  it  was  resolved  to  send  two  farmers 
"to  the  aid  of  the  Mission  and  to  teach  the  Natives  the 
art  of  agriculture."  This  was  amended  to  read  "A 
farmer  and  carpenter,"  and  was  finally  postponed  for 
consideration  until  the  next  meeting.7  No  farmer,  but  a 
carpenter,  Mr.  William  H.  Willson,  was  sent. 

Notice  was  given  through  the  official  paper  that  the 
Board  wished  to  employ  the  above  people  to  recruit  the 
missionary  reenforcement.  One  week  after  the  call  for 
volunteers  appeared,  the  Board  of  Managers  gave  no- 
tice through  the  same  paper  that  it  had  received  word 
from  Bishop  Hedding  that  he  had  appointed  Rev.  Har- 
vey Van  Order  as  missionary  to  Oregon.  His  wife  was 
to  accompany  him.8 

Applications  began  to  pour  into  the  office  of  the  cor- 
responding secretary  of  the  Board  from  persons  offer- 
ing their  services  for  the  Oregon  Mission.  A  special 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  was  held  January 
6,  1836,  to  consider  the  applications.  It  is  recorded  that 

"After  the  reading  of  the  letters  conversation  ensued  on  the 
most  suitable  persons  to  be  selected,  when  on  Motion  of  brother 
Kennedy  Miss  Pitman  of  New  York  was  chosen  as  a  Teacher 
for  the  Oregon  Mission." 

At  the  same  meeting  Miss  Elvira  Johnson  was  chosen 
as  a  second  teacher,  Elijah  White  as  physician,  and 
Alanson  Beers  as  blacksmith.  The  corresponding  secre- 
tary was  instructed  to  notify  them  of  their  appoint- 
ments.9 

At  last  Anna  Maria  Pittman's  long-felt  desire  to 
serve  her  God  among  the  Indians  of  America  was  to  be 

27 


fulfilled.  And  what  was  more — she  was  going  to  far-off 
Oregon.  Yet  it  was  not  an  unknown  land  to  her,  for 
had  not  an  old  family  friend  ventured  a  business  enter- 
prise in  that  region  a  quarter  of  a  century  before?  The 
home  fireside  had  been  regaled  with  accounts  of  that 
undertaking,  and  Anna  Maria's  childish  interest  had 
been  aroused.  Not  that  she  even  dared  to  think  that 
she,  herself,  would  ever  journey  to  that  remote  part  of 
the  world.  Oh  no.  But  perhaps  that  distant  region  may 
have  been  the  land  of  her  dreams.  Who  can  tell?  And 
now  it  was  a  dream  come  true!  She  was  going  to  visit 
that  same  Oregon  about  which  she  had  so  often  heard 
with  interest  and  perhaps  dreamed  with  greater — the 
place  where  John  Jacob  Astor  had  established  a  post 
for  his  Pacific  Fur  Company.  Her  life  work  was  to  be- 
gin not  many  miles  from  the  very  site  of  his  establish- 
ment, which  was  now  controlled  by  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company.  How  strangely  things  come  to  pass! 

One  can  only  imagine  her  joy  upon  the  receipt  of 
the  news  of  her  appointment.  Perhaps  it  was  joy  tinged 
with  a  bit  of  sadness,  when  she  realized  that  she  must 
leave  home,  family,  and  friends  behind  to  embark  on 
that  long,  long  voyage  to  far-distant  Oregon,  possibly 
never  to  return.  But  the  courage  of  her  convictions  and 
her  missionary  zeal  sustained  her,  no  doubt. 

Now  followed  busy  days  of  preparation  for  the  trip 
to  the  field  of  her  labors.  Very  likely  frequent  visits 
were  made  to  the  office  of  the  Board  of  Managers  to 
complete  the  necessary  arrangements.  It  may  have  been 
on  one  of  these  visits  that  the  Mission  Board  hinted  to 
Miss  Pittman  that  it  had  selected  her  as  a  wife  for  Rev. 
Jason  Lee.  It  seems,  however,  that  the  lady  in  question 
did  not  take  kindly  to  the  idea  at  the  time.10  Anna 
Maria  was  informed  that  she  was  to  be  given  a  salary 

28 


of  three  hundred  dollars  a  year,  half  of  which  she  could 
have  before  her  departure.  In  addition  she  was  to  be 
allowed  one  hundred  dollars  for  an  outfit.  All  travel- 
ing expenses  were  to  be  paid  until  Oregon  was  reached, 
no  matter  how  long  it  might  take.  The  financial  reports 
of  the  Missionary  Society  show  that  money  was  twice 
paid  for  sundries  and  outfit.  The  total  amount  was 
$92.77,  a  little  less  than  the  sum  allowed  for  that  pur- 
pose.11 

Meanwhile,  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Mission 
Board  had  been  busy  securing  passage  for  the  outgoing 
missionaries.  It  was  finally  able  to  obtain  satisfactory 
accommodations  on  the  ship  Hamilton,  which  was  to 
sail  from  Boston  to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  The  various 
members  of  the  mission  family  were  notified  to  be  in 
New  York  by  June  20,  as  the  ship  expected  to  sail  from 
Boston  July  1 . 

Almost  at  the  last  minute  word  was  received  from 
Rev.  Harvey  Van  Order  that  he  would  not  go  to  the 
Oregon  Mission,  since  his  wife's  relatives  opposed  her 
going.  An  immediate  endeavor  was  made  to  procure 
another  minister  to  accompany  the  missionary  party.12 
It  was  evidently  unsuccessful,  as  no  minister  went 
along. 

Before  her  departure  Anna  Maria  penned  a  farewell 
letter  to  her  absent  brother  George.  Farewell  poems  to 
her  mother,  her  father,  and  her  brothers  and  sisters 
were  written  as  parting  evidence  of  her  affection  for 
them. 

As  for  herself  Miss  Pittman  remained  "firm  and  un- 
daunted" as  the  time  for  leaving  drew  near.  She  feared 
nothing.  All  her  trust  was  in  God,  whom  she  felt  had 
promised  to  be  with  her  "even  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

The  mission  family  was  expected  to  assemble  in  Miss 

29 


Pittman's  home  city  June  20,  1836.  Before  they  left  for 
Boston,  a  missionary  meeting  was  to  be  held13  to  bid 
them  Godspeed. 

At  last  the  day  of  departure  arrived.  That  the  leave- 
taking  was  not  easy  can  well  be  surmised,  for  in  those 
days  a  trip  to  distant  Oregon  was  considerable  of  an 
undertaking.  Nevertheless,  Anna  Maria  bore  up 
bravely  under  the  strain.  The  parting  with  her  mother 
was  probably  hardest  of  all,  though  she  tried  to  remain 
as  cheerful  as  possible  to  prevent  them  both  being  over- 
come. Soon  the  last  good-bys  were  said,  and,  laden  with 
many  gifts,  so  kindly  bestowed  upon  her  by  her  family 
and  admiring  friends,  Anna  Maria  Pittman  embarked 
on  a  steamboat  with  the  other  members  of  the  mission 
family  for  Boston.14 

The  trip  to  that  city  was  a  pleasant  one.  The  evening 
was  spent  on  deck  where  Anna  Maria  and  her  mission- 
ary companion,  Miss  Elvira  Johnson,  amused  them- 
selves by  singing  some  of  the  songs  of  Zion.  This  seems 
to  have  attracted  the  attention  of  their  fellow-passen- 
gers, and  led  one  gentleman  to  remark  to  them  that  their 
voices  were  "enough  to  convert  the  heart  of  an  Infidel." 
At  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  July  9, 
1 836,15  the  party  reached  Boston,  where  it  was  to  spend 
a  few  days  before  sailing  for  Honolulu. 

1. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  October 
8,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  Extra  immediately  following 
June  24,  1836,  X. 

2. — Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835,  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  9. 
and  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  November  20,  1835,  X,  5,  under 
heading  of  "Missionary  information".  For  further  information  concern- 
ing the  young  lady  mentioned,  see  Anna  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Oregon 
Mission,  Willamette  Rr.,  June  5,  1837,  note  4. 

3. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  408. 

4. — H.  K.  Hines,  Missionary  history  of  the  Pacific  Northwest,  125,  and 

3d 


Rev.  Samuel  Parker,  Journal  of  an  exploring  tour  beyond  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  165.  Rev.  Parker  visited  the  Oregon  Mission,  November 
26-28,  1835,  while  on  an  exploring  expedition  in  the  interest  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  to  look  for  a 
favorable  site  for  the  location  of  a  mission.  After  commenting  upon  the 
work  of  the  mission  on  the  Willamette,  he  points  out  but  one  important 
thing  in  which  it  is  lacking,  namely,  the  missionaries  have  no  wives. 

5. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,  Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  March 
14,  1836,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  September  2,  1836,  XI,  6. 

6. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,  238,  246,  254,  and  "Letter  of  Jason  Lee, 
Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  October  8,  1835,"  Christian  Advocate 
and  Journal,  Extra  immediately  following,  June  24,  1836,  X. 

7. — Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835,  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  11, 
and  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  December  11,  1835,  X,  No.  16, 
under  the  heading  "A  Call  for  Help." 

8. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  December  18,  1835,  X,  67,  under 
the  heading  "Mission  to  the  Oregon  Territory." 

9. — Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835,  to  May  31,  1841,  p. 
15-16. 

10. — Bashford,  The  Oregon  missions,  157,  and  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N. 
Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell,  Oregon,  October  16,  1934. 

11. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Boston,  July  17,  1836,  and 
note  2. 

12. — Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835,  to  May  31,  1841,  p. 
33-35. 

13. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  George  W.  Pittman,  New  York,  June  9, 
1836. 

14. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,  Boston,  July  12,  1836. 

15. — It  seems  quite  evident  that  word  must  have  been  received  that 
the  ship  on  which  the  missionaries  were  to  embark  had  postponed  the 
date  of  sailing  beyond  July  1.  In  a  letter  to  her  mother  dated  Boston, 
July  12,  1836,  Miss  Pittman  states  that  she  had  arrived  in  that  city  on 
Saturday  afternoon.  It  is  assumed  that  she  arrived  there  on  the  pre- 
ceding Saturday,  which  was  July  9. 


31 


CHAPTER  IV 

BOSTON  TO  HONOLULU 

EVERYTHING  was  done  in  Boston  to  make  the 
stay  of  the  missionaries  a  happy  one.  They  were 
introduced  to  a  great  many  people,  especially  to 
some  who  were  friendly  to  the  mission.  Two  gentlemen, 
whom  they  met,  interested  them  more  than  others.  One 
of  these  was  a  physician  who  had  lived  for  a  time  in 
the  Sandwich  Islands,  at  which  place  the  mission  family 
would  first  disembark,  before  proceeding  to  Oregon. 
The  other  gentleman  attracted  their  attention  even 
more.  He  had  been  in  Oregon  and  had  seen  Jason  Lee 
and  his  co-workers.  He  reported  the  country  there  to 
be  even  better  than  the  East.1  This,  at  least,  was  en- 
couraging. 

The  wait  in  Boston  gave  the  missionaries  ample  op- 
portunity to  become  acquainted  with  each  other.  Since 
no  minister  was  appointed  to  replace  the  one  who  had 
resigned  and  who  would  probably  have  acted  as  head 
of  the  party,  Dr.  Elijah  White  was  assigned  by  the 
Board  to  that  position.  He  was  authorized  to  draw  upon 
the  treasurer  for  all  needed  expenditures  en  route  to 
Oregon,  where  he  would  be  able  to  give  up  his  charge 
to  Jason  Lee.2  The  mission  family  accordingly  called 
him  "father"  and  Mrs.  White  "mother."  The  latter 
did  not  like  being  so  designated.  She  told  Anna  Maria 
that  she  must  be  ordained  when  they  reached  Oregon, 
so  that  they  could  call  her  "mother".3  Evidently  the 

32 


missionaries  were  aware  of  the  hint  given  to  Miss  Pitt- 
man,  and  were  losing  no  opportunity  to  make  the  most 
of  it. 

Thirteen  men,  women,  and  children  made  up  this 
first  missionary  reenforcement.  The  group  was  com- 
posed, first,  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  White,  both  genial  people, 
who  had  previously  been  much  interested  in  church 
work.  They  were  accompanied  by  their  infant  son  Silas, 
and  an  adopted  boy  George,  about  fourteen  years  of 
age.4 

Mr.  Alanson  Beers,  the  blacksmith,  with  his  wife  and 
three  children,  constituted  the  other  family  group  in 
the  party.  He  was  an  austere  sort  of  a  man,  while  his 
wife  was  a  quiet,  docile  woman.5 

Mr.  William  H.  Willson,  who  went  as  a  carpenter, 
was  a  cheerful  individual.  He  had  formerly  been  a 
cooper  on  a  whaling  vessel.  Naturally,  he  was  fond  of 
telling  sea  yarns,  which  helped  to  while  away  many  a 
tedious  hour  on  the  voyage.6  Anna  Maria  considered 
him  an  excellent  young  man.7 

Three  unmarried  women  completed  the  group.  They 
went  along  as  teachers,  and  all  were  destined  to  become 
missionary  brides.  Miss  Susan ,  Downing,  the  fiance'e  of 
Cyrus  Shepard,  joined  the  party  in  Boston.  She  was  a 
small,  attractive  person  and  well  liked  by  her  com- 
panions. This  little  woman  had  a  keen  sense  of  humor. 
According  to  her  granddaughter,  when  she  laughed  she 
laughed  all  over  and  one  just  had  to  laugh  with  her.8 
Another  teacher,  Miss  Elvira  Johnson,  epitomized  the 
missionary  spirit  and  proved  herself  to  be  a  very  willing 
worker.  She  was  a  most  amiable  and  well-thought-of 
person,  who  made  every  effort  to  render  herself  useful.9 

Lastly,  there  was  the  young  woman  of  this  story, 
Anna  Maria  Pittman.  She  was  tall  of  stature,  with  black 

33 


hair  and  eyes  of  the  same  color.  Being  a  very  sweet 
and  companionable  person,  she  won  the  lasting  friend- 
ship of  all  the  members  of  the  mission  family.  By  na- 
ture she  was  resolute,  persevering,  and,  above  all,  fer- 
vently pious.10  To  her  religion  seemed  to  be  the  breath 
of  life  itself,  and,  as  her  letters  show,  she  was  willing  to 
sacrifice  herself  in  spreading  its  word.  At  the  same  time 
she  was  somewhat  gifted  with  a  genius  for  writing 
poetry.  Most  of  her  poems,  which  are  now  in  existence, 
are  imbued  with  a  religious  fervor.11 

During  the  days  spent  at  the  port  of  embarkation, 
Miss  Pittman  found  plenty  with  which  to  busy  herself. 
One  of  the  first  things  she  did  was  to  make  a  tour  of  the 
city.  Its  high  houses  and  narrow,  crooked  streets  did  not 
appeal  to  her  as  did  her  native  New  York.  This  mis- 
sionary lady's  days  were  filled  with  purchasing  personal 
supplies  and  sorting  out  and  getting  ready  such  articles 
as  she  would  need  during  the  voyage.  Several  times 
she  went  on  board  the  Hamilton}  which  was  to  be  the 
mission  family's  home  for  so  many  weeks.  This  vessel 
provided  good  accommodations.  It  was  in  charge  of 
Captain  Barker,  a  man  of  excellent  character.12 

Of  course  this  good  woman  did  not  fail  to  attend 
church  in  Boston  on  the  Sabbath.  The  singing  in  the 
churches  with  its  accompaniment  of  instrumental  music 
delighted  her.  However,  she  did  not  approve  the  ma- 
hogany pulpits,  nor  the  crimson  curtains  behind  them. 
The  latter  she  described  as  being  very  full,  rich,  and 
trimmed.  All  this  seemed  to  her  too  ornate  for  a  house 
of  God,  and  offended  her  deeply  religious  nature. 

Anna  Maria  spent  considerable  time  writing  farewell 
letters  to  her  family  and  friends.  Those  written  to  her 
family  reflect  her  devout  and  self-sacrificing  spirit.  She 
was  still  firm  in  her  conviction  and  looked  forward  to 

34 


embarking  for  Oregon,  and  there  beginning  her  mis- 
sionary work  among  the  "poor  dying  red  men."  To  her 
the  salvation  of  their  souls  would  be  her  great  reward.12 
With  the  same  religious  spirit  she  wrote  to  her  sisters 
and  brothers.  She  entreated  them  to  forego  the  world- 
liness  of  life,  and,  instead,  accept  God  and  follow  in 
His  ways.13 

Meanwhile,  Rev.  Rufus  Spaulding,  who  had  been 
commissioned  by  the  Mission  Board  to  purchase  sup- 
plies for  the  mission  family,  had  been  busily  engaged  in 
doing  so.  He  seemed  to  know  just  what  they  wanted. 
All  sorts  of  household  utensils,  sufficient  for  four  fami- 
lies, were  bought  at  the  expense  of  the  Missionary  So- 
ciety. Nothing  seemed  to  be  spared.  In  purchasing  mat- 
tresses for  the  out-going  missionaries,  Rev.  Spaulding 
got  each  of  them  a  double  one.  Anna  Maria  objected 
to  hers  and  made  him  buy  her  a  single  mattress  instead. 
"They  seem  determined  to  have  me-  doubled,"  she 
wrote.  The  outfitting  of  the  group  was  rather  expen- 
sive and  made  Anna  Marie  think  that  much  good  ought 
to  be  accomplished  as  a  result. 

The  departure  of  the  Hamilton  was  delayed  consid- 
erably because  of  the  rain  which  hindered  loading  the 
cargo.  At  last  orders  were  given  that  all  must  be  on 
board  the  ship  at  8  A.  M.,  Thursday,  July  28,  as  the 
vessel  would  sail  that  morning.  For  some  reason  the 
boat  did  not  put  to  sea  until  the  following  day.15 

Many  of  the  newly  made  friends  of  the  missionaries, 
including  several  Boston  ministers,  were  at  the  wharf  to 
see  them  off.  Quite  a  large  number  of  these  accom- 
panied the  mission  family  on  the  pilot  boat  which  was 
to  take  them  to  the  ship.  As  they  left  the  pier,  the  com- 
pany appropriately  sang  the  missionary  hymn  by 
Bishop  Reginald  Heber,  "From  Greenland's  icy  moun- 

35 


tains,"  their  melodious  voices  carrying  far  out  over  the 
water.  Presently  the  ship  was  reached,  and  everyone 
was  safely  put  on  board.  As  soon  as  it  was  under  full 
sail,  all  the  members  of  the  mission  family  and  their 
friends  formed  a  circle  on  the  deck.  Rev.  Bartholomew 
Otheman,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Boston  District,  then 
conducted  a  farewell  service  for  the  departing  mission- 
aries. It  was  opened  by  the  singing  of  a  beautiful  hymn, 
the  first  stanza  of  which  is, 

"Jesus,  I  my  cross  have  taken, 

All  to  leave  and  follow  thee; 
Naked,  poor,  despised,  forsaken, 

Thou,  from  hence,  my  all  shalt  be  ; 
Perish  every  fond  ambition, 

All  I've  sought,  or  hoped,  or  known, 
Yet  how  rich  is  my  ambition, 

God  and  heaven  are  still  my  own !" 

Rev.  Otheman  then  delivered  a  short  address.  "He 
referred  to  the  Oregon  Mission,  reminded  the  family 
of  the  troubles  to  which  they  would  be  subjected,  and 
exhorted  them  to  pious  lives."  At  the  same  time  he  as- 
sured them  of  the  prayers  and  sympathies  of  the 
church.  Immediately  afterward  the  entire  group  knelt 
reverently,  while  the  minister  offered  a  fervent  prayer, 
commending  the  missionaries  "to  Him  who  rules  the 
wind  and  waves".  It  was  a  truly  solemn  occasion,  and 
one  which  brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  those  there  as- 
sembled. 

After  the  exercises  were  over,  some  time  was  spent 
inspecting  the  ship.  Shortly  before  the  visitors  were 
to  leave,  all  were  invited  into  the  cabin  to  partake  of  a 
light  repast.  For  the  last  time  these  emissaries  of  the 
gospel  broke  bread  with  their  friends,  full  realizing 
the  uncertainty  of  ever  enjoying  that  privilege  again. 

36 


When  the  Hamilton  reached  the  "Boston  Light", 
about  ten  miles  out,  it  was  time  for  the  last  farewells. 
Tearfully  the  missionaries  parted  with  their  friends, 
well  aware  that  they  were  the  last  ones  whom  they 
would  probably  see  for  some  months.  They  were  now 
actually  leaving  their  native  land  and  all  that  they  held 
most  dear,  not  knowing  when  they  would  return,  if 
ever.  After  the  last  tearful  farewell  was  said,  the 
friends  returned  to  the  pilot  boat.  As  that  small  vessel 
left  the  ship,  they  sang  the  following  missionary  hymn: 

"In  the  deserts  let  me  labor, 

On  the  mountains  let  me  tell 
How  he  died — the  blessed  Saviour — 

To  redeem  a  world  from  hell ! 
Let  me  hasten, 

Far  in  heathen  lands  to  dwell. 
Bear  me  on,  thou  restless  ocean; 

Let  the  winds  my  canvass  swell — 
Heaven  my  heart  with  warm  emotion, 

While  I  go  far  hence  to  dwell. 
Glad  I  bid  thee, 
Native  land !— FAREWELL— FAREWELL !" 

They  continued  singing  as  long  as  those  on  the  ship 
could  hear  them  and  they  waved  their  hats  and  hand- 
kerchiefs. The  little  group  on  shipboard  waved  theirs 
in  return.  As  the  parting  song  died  away  in  the  distance, 
and  the  pilot  boat  fast  disappeared  from  view,  the  mis- 
sionaries' last  contact  with  their  homeland  was  severed. 
What  feelings  and  emotions  filled  their  souls  at  that 
moment,  it  is  difficult  to  imagine.  But  with  courage  and 
determination  they  looked  forward  to  whatever  the  new 
life,  upon  which  they  were  about  to  enter,  might  bring. 
As  the  land  fast  receded  from  their  view  and  became  a 
mere  cloud  in  the  distance,  the  threshold  into  that  new 
life  had  been  crossed.16 

37 


Soon  all  about  them  was  nothing  but  sky,  and  ocean 
with  its  monotonous  rolling  and  breaking  of  waves.  The 
first  few  days  were  spent  in  accustoming  themselves  to 
their  new  situation.  Seasickness  soon  prostrated  many  of 
them.  Anna  Maria,  while  not  very  ill,  was  obliged  to 
remain  in  bed  several  days. 

This  missionary  lady  was  well  satisfied  with  the  con- 
ditions on  board  the  vessel.  Everything  was  kept  clean 
and  in  perfect  order.  The  captain  was  a  gentleman,  and 
very  attentive  to  all  their  needs.  Miss  Pittman  had  spe- 
cial praise  for  the  steward  whom  she  considered  a  first- 
rate  cook.  He  had  already  been  at  sea  with  five  mission 
families,  so  he  knew  something  of  what  they  liked  in 
the  way  of  food. 

Religious  services  were  regularly  held  by  the  mission 
family.  Dr.  White  and  Mr.  Willson  took  turns  in  con- 
ducting them.  Family  prayers,  Sunday  services,  prayer- 
meetings,  and  a  Bible  class  twice  weekly  filled  their  re- 
ligious schedule. 

Anna  Maria  found  many  things  to  do  to  while  away 
the  time  on  the  long  voyage.  There  were  letters  to 
write  and  books  to  be  read.  She  had  taken  along  her 
French  books,  and  had  planned  to  study  them,  so  that 
she  might  converse  more  readily  with  the  French  set- 
tlers whom  she  expected  to  meet  in  Oregon.  During  the 
course  of  the  voyage,  she  made  four  new  dresses  and  a 
patchwork  spread,  besides  knitting  two  pairs  of  stock- 
ings. For  exercise  she  jumped  the  rope  and  walked  the 
deck  whenever  the  weather  permitted. 

Several  pleasant  events  served  to  break  the  monotony 
of  the  trip.  Some  days  after  sailing  they  spoke  a  brig 
which  was  bound  for  South  America.  It  had  left  New 
York  the  same  day  the  Hamilton  had  departed  from 
Boston.  The  first  greeting  was  the  barking  of  a  dog. 

38 


The  captains  of  each  ship  spoke  through  a  trumpet. 
The  crew  on  the  other  ship  could  be  seen  on  deck.  Miss 
Pittman  experienced  inexpressible  joy  on  this  occasion. 
There  was  only  one  other  similar  happening  on  the 
whole  voyage.  It  did  not  occur  until  late  November, 
when  they  hailed  a  whaling  ship  in  the  mid-Pacific.  The 
captain  of  the  whaler  ordered  a  boat  manned,  and  he 
and  the  mate  were  soon  on  board  the  Hamilton.  This 
was  a  happy  occasion  for  all.  It  seemed  almost  like  meet- 
ing old  friends.  Mr.  Willson  was  probably  the  happiest 
of  anyone,  for  he  found  among  the  ship's  company  a 
former  shipmate.  He  was  very  likely  someone  who  had 
been  on  a  whaling  vessel  with  him.  But  these  mid-ocean 
guests  could  not  remain  long.  In  her  letter  Anna  Maria 
could  not  refrain  from  giving  her  customary  religious 
interpretation  to  the  parting. 

"We  were  soon  called  upon  to  part,"  she  wrote,  "thus  it  is 
all  through  life  we  get  acquainted  and  then  part.  but  in 
heaven  it  will  be  a  sound  unknown." 

The  wedding  anniversary  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  White, 
which  came  on  September  10,  was  the  occasion  for  an 
especially  prepared  dinner.  The  officers  added  to  the 
festivities  of  the  day  by  dining  with  the  missionaries. 

Miss  Pittman's  birthday  was  just  two  weeks  later, 
but  she  tells  of  no  special  celebration  to  mark  the  event. 
In  a  somewhat  reflective  mood  she  wrote  in  her  journal 
that  day, 

"33-  years  of  my  life  forever  gone;  and  alas  how  little  of  that 
time  has  been  spent  in  doing  good,  oh  if  my  life  is  spared  an- 
other year  I  trust  I  shall  be  enabled  to  do  something  for  God, 
who  has  done  so  much  for  me." 

For  the  most  part  the  weather  was  pleasant  through- 
out the  voyage,  though  an  occasional  rough  sea  was  en- 

.    39 


countered.  As  the  ship  sailed  farther  into  the  South  At- 
lantic the  weather  became  quite  cold,  despite  the  fact 
that  it  was  still  early  in  October.  After  eighty  days  at 
sea  the  passengers  caught  sight  of  land  for  the  first 
time.  Here  they  were  afforded  a  view  of  the  snow- 
capped mountains  of  the  Tierra  del  Fuego  group.  Al- 
though Cape  Horn  was  reached  in  mid-October,  it  was 
springtime  there,  and  they  experienced  April  weather. 
In  fact,  one  of  the  officers  told  Miss  Pittman  that  so 
far  they  had  had  a  "remarkable  passage".  He  was  at  a 
loss  to  account  for  it,  unless  it  was  because  they  had  so 
many  good  people  on  board.  Quick  to  avail  herself  of 
every  opportunity  to  give  a  religious  interpretation  to 
all  circumstances,  and,  perhaps  to  impress  this  officer  at 
the  same  time,  she  replied  that  it  was  in  answer  to  the 
daily  prayers  of  their  friends  at  home.  She  felt  that 
they  were  being  "wafted  on  by  a  breeze  of  prayer". 

The  Hamilton  rounded  the  Cape  in  safety  without 
meeting  the  usual  storms  which  it  was  expected  would 
be  encountered  there.  Head  winds,  however,  forced  the 
vessel  to  go  as  far  south  as  57°,  where  it  was  rather 
cold.17  Finally  they  reached  the  South  Pacific,  and  the 
most  dangerous  part  of  the  voyage  was  behind  them. 
Even  there  they  had  several  days  of  rough  weather.  On 
one  of  these  a  man  fell  overboard  amidst  the  dashing, 
furious  waves.  A  rope  was  quickly  thrown  to  him.  This 
he  grasped  and,  as  Anna  Maria  interpreted  it,  was, 
through  a  merciful  Providence,  snatched  from  a  watery 
grave.18 

Only  one  fatal  event  marked  the  entire  voyage.  Sev- 
eral weeks  before  reaching  the  Sandwich  Islands,  the 
cook,  a  colored  man,  died  of  consumption.  He  had  pre- 
viously been  anxious  about  his  soul,  but  the  missionaries 
had  faint  hope  for  him  in  death.  He  was  sewed  up  in  a 

40 


hammock  with  bullets  at  his  feet.  An  American  flag 
served  as  a  pall.  The  whole  ship's  company,  passengers 
and  crew  as  well,  gathered  on  deck  for  the  funeral.  Dr. 
White  read  the  burial  service,  after  which  the  body  was 
committed  to  an  ocean  grave.19 

Two  days  before  Christmas,  those  on  board  were 
gladdened  by  the  sight  of  the  Sandwich  Islands  show- 
ing up  in  the  distance.  What  joy  must  have  filled  their 
hearts  as  they  caught  their  first  glimpse  of  the  lofty 
snow-capped  peaks.  All  were  busy  packing  up  their 
things  preparatory  to  landing  as  soon  as  they  reached 
the  Island  of  Oahu.  That  evening  their  ship  reached 
the  harbor,  and  a  pilot  boat,  manned  with  natives,  put 
out  to  meet  them.  The  pilot,  a  genial  white-haired  man 
of  about  seventy  years,  came  on  board.  He  was  a 
wealthy  merchant  from  Boston,20  and,  no  doubt,  be- 
spoke the  delight  of  all  the  American  residents  on  the 
Islands  in  greeting  the  first  vessel  from  home  in  a  year. 

About  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  Hamilton 
dropped  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  Honolulu.  Dr.  White 
and  Mr.  Willson  then  went  ashore,  leaving  the  re- 
mainder of  their  party  to  spend  one  more  night  on 
board.  The  people  there  greeted  these  two  men  most 
cordially,  for  they  were  overjoyed  to  see  them.  Early 
the  next  morning  both  returned  to  the  ship  laden  with 
eggs,  milk,  cucumbers,  bananas,  and  watermelons.  What 
a  breakfast  all  must  have  had!  This  was  the  first  fresh 
food  they  had  tasted  since  leaving  Boston,  one  hundred 
and  forty-eight  days  before. 

After  this  very  palatable  meal  two  American  minis- 
ters from  the  island  mission  came  on  board.  They  were 
Rev.  Hiram  Bingham  and  Rev.  Lowell  Smith,  who 
gave  the  Oregon  missionaries  a  most  hearty  welcome. 
About  ten  o'clock  the  same  morning  the  mission  family 

41 


went  ashore  in  a  small  boat.  The  entire  party  was  taken 
at  once  to  the  mission  establishment,  where,  at  the 
house  of  Rev.  Bingham,  they  were  given  a  warm  recep- 
tion by  their  Presbyterian  brothers  and  sisters.  Here  all 
sang  songs  and  offered  prayers  for  the  safe  arrival  of 
the  missionaries  to  Oregon.  At  noontime  all  dispersed. 
The  resident  missionaries  took  different  ones  of  the 
newcomers  to  their  respective  homes.  Mrs.  Levi  Cham- 
berlain invited  Miss  Pittman  to  her  house,  which  was  a 
large  one.  It  was  in  this  same  home  that  Daniel  Lee 
stayed  while  regaining  his  health  in  Honolulu.  The 
goodness  of  God  had  guided  this  devoted  missionary 
lady  safely  to  her  first  destination,  where  she  was  to 
await  passage  to  the  yet  distant  Oregon.21 


Is — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,  Boston,  July  12,  1836. 

2. — Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835,  to  May  31,  1841,  p. 
38-39. 

3. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,   Boston,  July   12,    1836. 

4. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  17-22 ;  Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon, 
I,  155;  and  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother.  Boston,  July,  1836. 
note  6. 

5. — Allen.  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  22. 

6.— Ibid.,  22-23. 

7. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,  Boston,  July  12,  1836. 

8. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  23;  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her 
Mother,  Boston,  July  12,  1836;  and  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  to  the 
writer,  Creswell,  Oregon,  November  18,  1934.  For  Miss  Downing's  ap- 
pointment, see  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,  Boston,  July  12, 
1836,  note  3. 

9. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  23. 

10. — Ibid.,  23,  and  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell, 
Oregon,  September  27,  1934. 

11. — See  poems  of  Anna  Maria  Pittman,  pp.  203-209.  There  are  also 
some  contained  in  her  letters. 

12. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,  Boston,  July  12,  1836,  and 
Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Boston,  July  17,  1836. 

13. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Sisters  and  Brothers,  Boston,  July  16, 
1836,  and  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  brother  Francis,  Boston,  July,  1836. 

14. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Boston,  July  17,  1836,  and 
Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Sisters  and  Brothers,  Boston,  July  16,  1836. 

42 


15. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Mother,  Boston,  July  12,  1836,  and 
Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Boston,  July  17,  1835. 

16. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  At  Sea,  August  10,  1836. 
This  letter  is  really  a  journal  of  the  voyage  of  Miss  Pittman  from  Boston 
to  Honolulu,  with  entries  under  different  dates.  Much  of  it  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  April  27,  1838,  XII,  161. 
See  also  Zion's  Herald,  August  3,  1836,  VII,  123,  and  Allen,  Ten  years 
in  Oregon,  20-21. 

17. — See  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  34-35,  for  another  account. 

18. — According  to  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  35-36,  this  accident 
occurred  while  rounding  the  southernmost  part  of  South  America,  but 
according  to  Miss  Pittman's  journal  they  were  already  in  the  South 
Pacific. 

19. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  At  Sea,  under  date  of  De- 
cember 8,  and  note  10;  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Sister  [Mrs.  H. 
Martin"],  Honolulu,  Island  of  Oahu,  December  28,  1836;  and  Allen, 
Ten  years  in  Oregon,  36,  37. 

20. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  43. 

21. — Except  where  otherwise  indicated  in  the  footnotes  this  account 
of  the  voyage  is  based  upon  the  journal  kept  by  Miss  Pittman.  An  ac- 
count of  the  same  voyage  is  given  in  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  25-45, 
which  is  based  upon  notes  of  Mrs.  White's.  Where  it  is  in  direct  con- 
tradiction to  facts  as  stated  in  Miss  Pittman's  journal,  footnote  references 
have  been  made.  Since  this  book  was  compiled  some  years  after  the  voy- 
age, I  consider  Miss  Pittman's  account,  written  on  the  trip,  the  more 
authentic. 


43 


^^^m^^^^^l^KS 


CHAPTER  V 

OREGON  AT  LAST 

IN  HONOLULU  just  the  day  before  Christmas! 
How  different  it  must  have  been  from  other  Christ- 
mas scenes  and  seasons  which  our  good  missionary 
had  enjoyed  in  her  own  home.  Quite  in  contrast  with 
the  snow  and  chilling  blasts  of  New  York  City  in  De- 
cember, were  the  balmy  air,  warm  breezes,  and  the 
greenness  of  the  out-of-doors.  Christmas  came  on  Sun- 
day that  year.  In  the  morning  the  mission  family  ac- 
companied the  island  missionaries  to  the  services  that 
were  held  in  the  mission  chapel.  Here  Anna  Maria  wit- 
nessed a  sight  such  as  she  had  never  seen  before.  A 
thousand  or  more  natives  thronged  the  chapel  to  listen 
to  Rev.  Bingham  address  them  in  their  own  tongue. 
Miss  Pittman  described  this  as  follows: 

"Oh  what  a  scene,  my  eyes  never  saw  or  ears  heard  or  my 
heart  felt  what  I  now  enjoy.  I  now  behold  what  kings  and 
prophets  waited  for  but  died  without  the  sight.  Such  a  con- 
course of  natives  collected  together  to  worship  God,  drew  tears 
from  my  eyes." 

In  the  afternoon  Miss  Pittman  attended  Sabbath 
School  which  she  found  most  interesting.  Later,  the 
same  day,  she  was  present  again  at  church  services,  this 
time  at  the  Seamen's  Chapel,  where  the  preaching  was 
in  English. 

The  missionaries  settled  themselves  in  Honolulu  for 
the  winter,  because  there  was  no  chance  of  obtaining 

44 


passage  upon  any  boat  sailing  for  Oregon  before  the  fol- 
lowing March.  Anna  Maria  remained  at  the  home  of 
Mrs.  Levi  Chamberlain  who  had  been  her  hostess  from 
the  first.  One  can  well  imagine  what  an  interesting  time 
all  must  have  had.  Since  no  one  had  heard  from  the 
United  States  for  a  year,  the  island  missionaries  were 
exceedingly  anxious  to  hear  every  bit  of  news  that  their 
visitors  could  tell  them.1 

The  resident  missionaries  were  very  kind  to  Miss 
Pittman,  and  she  visited  among  them  a  great  deal. 
During  the  winter  she  spent  some  days  at  two  other 
missions  on  the  island  of  Oahu.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  White 
accompanied  her  on  a  horseback  trip  to  the  one  at  Ewa, 
fourteen  miles  distant  from  Honolulu.  Here  they  were 
welcomed  by  Rev.  Artemas  Bishop  and  wife.  They  re-  ♦ 
mained  at  Ewa  for  the  night,  and  the  next  morning  con- 
tinued their  journey  to  the  mission  at  Waialua,  eight- 
een miles  farther  on.  There  the  establishment  was  in 
charge  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  John  S.  Emerson,  who  gave 
these  visitors  a  most  cordial  reception.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
White  departed  after  three  days,  but  our  missionary  re- 
mained for  a  longer  visit.  She  found  Waialua,  with  its 
rather  romantic  setting,  a  delightful  place.  When  the 
time  to  go  came,  she  found  it  hard  to  take  leave  of 
her  kind  friends.  On  her  return  she  spent  seventeen 
pleasant  days  at  Ewa  with  the  Bishops.  Meanwhile,  Mr. 
Willson  had  written  to  her,  offering  to  come  to  Ewa 
to  accompany  her  to  Honolulu.  His  kind  offer  was  ac- 
cepted, and  they  enjoyed  a  lovely  ride  back. 

When  she  reached  Honolulu,  Anna  Maria  received 
four  invitations  from  missionary  families  to  come  and 
stay  with  them.  But  she  chose  to  return  to  the  home  of 
her  former  hostess.  During  her  stay  on  Oahu  Miss  Pitt- 
man  availed  herself  of  the  opportunity  to  purchase 

45 


many  things  which  would  be  useful  in  Oregon.  Upon 
the  advice  of  a  friend  she  had  sent  some  money  to 
Canton  for  teaspoons  and  tablespoons.  She  evidently 
had  in  mind  some  notion  of  going  to  housekeeping  at 
some  time  after  her  arrival  in  Oregon.  In  that  respect 
she  would  not  be  able  to  decide  what  would  be  the  best 
plan  until  she  reached  her  final  destination.  Whether 
or  not  she  contemplated  marriage  with  Jason  Lee  and 
the  setting  up  of  their  own  home,  she  does  not  say  in 
her  letter,  but  leaves  us  to  read  between  the  lines  the 
probability  that  such  a  marriage  was  thought  of,  and 
that  she  was  making  preparations  for  it.2 

One  event,  long  to  be  remembered,  climaxed  the 
winter's  stay  in  Honolulu.  On  February  4,  1837,  the 
marriage  of  his  majesty  Kamehameha  III  with  his  fa- 
vorite Kalama  was  solemnized.  The  Oregon  mission- 
aries were  invited  to  attend  this  royal  wedding  and  the 
colorful  ceremonies  connected  with  it.  The  superb  culi- 
nary art  of  one  of  their  number  was  displayed  on  this 
occasion.  To  Susan  Downing  was  accorded  the  honor 
of  making  the  wedding  cake.  This  was  done  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  king,  who  had  heard  of  American  wedding 
cake  and  wished  to  add  a  new  feature  to  the  usual  Ha- 
waiian marriage  feast.  It  had  been  learned  that  Miss 
Downing  was  a  splendid  cook,  and  wedding  cake  hap- 
pened to  be  one  of  her  specialties.3 

The  winter  months  passed  quickly,  and  at  last  March 
came.  Still  the  missionaries  lingered  amidst  their  de- 
lightful surroundings.  The  boat  that  had  long  been  ex- 
pected had  not  arrived.  Dr.  White  was  finally  able  to 
secure  passage  for  the  mission  family  and  for  its  freight 
on  board  an  excellent  vessel,  the  Diana,  for  eighteen 
hundred  dollars.  This  he  considered  too  high  a  rate,  but 


46 


he  was  advised  to  pay  it.  Otherwise  there  was  little 
prospect  of  leaving  before  August. 

The  doctor  had  been  generously  supplied  with  two 
cows,  to  be  transported  without  cost,  a  barrel  of  mo- 
lasses, goats,  pigs,  and  poultry,  through  the  kindness  of 
the  friends  he  had  made  while  in  Honolulu.4  Miss  Pitt- 
man,  as  well,  received  many  parting  gifts.  Shortly  be- 
fore she  sailed  for  Oregon,  she  was  called  to  come  out 
and  thank  her  "cousins".  To  her  surprise  she  found  that 
the  natives  had  very  kindly  brought  her  a  load  of  veg- 
etables, fowls,  and  fruit  for  the  trip  to  Oregon.  Miss 
Pittman  thanked  them  all  in  the  name  of  the  mission 
family,  and  she  gave  the  friendly  greeting  of  arohay 
which  means  "I  love  you". 

Everyone  was  busy  and  excited  getting  ready  for  the 
voyage  to  their  home  as  they  had  now  begun  to  regard 
Oregon.  The  friends  they  had  met  in  Honolulu  had 
entertained  them  so  hospitably  that  parting  would  be 
hard,  but  they  would  always  take  a  mutual  interest  in 
each  other  and  would  regard  each  other  as  neighbors.5 

The  Diana  was  to  sail  on  April  5.  This  brig  was  com- 
manded by  a  Boston  merchant  in  Hawaii,  Captain  Wil- 
liam S.  Hinckley,  who,  with  a  Mr.  Jones,  also  a  Boston 
merchant  in  Hawaii,  had  recently  purchased  the  vessel.6 
The  captain  was  accompanied  by  his  wife,  a  very  ami- 
able lady.  The  scheduled  sailing  did  not  take  place,  and 
it  was  not  until  April  8,  that  the  missionaries  bade  fare- 
well to  their  friends  and  left  Oahu  on  the  last  lap  of 
their  journey.  The  following  day  they  reached  the 
island  of  Atooi,  now  called  Kauai.  A  three  day  stop  was 
made  here  to  obtain  fruit  and  vegetables  for  the  voyage. 
On  April  1 1  they  again  set  sail  for  their  destined  home. 

The  passage  from  the  Islands  to  Oregon  was  a  ''bois- 
terous" one,  far  more  so  than  the  one  from  Boston. 

47 


Three  severe  gales  were  encountered,  which  were  rather 
unexpected  at  this  season.  The  seas  ran  high  and  the 
winds  roared  loudly.  It  was  necessary  to  have  all  sails 
in  and  laid  to.  The  faith  and  patience  of  the  missiona- 
ries were  sorely  tried,  but  Anna  Maria  felt  that  it  was 
as  the  Lord  willed. 

Just  a  month  after  bidding  farewell  to  Honolulu, 
they  caught  sight  of  the  Oregon  shores.  However,  the 
Diana  did  not  dare  venture  near  at  the  time,  because 
of  the  sand-bar  which  lay  across  the  mouth  of  the  Co- 
lumbia. This  could  be  reached  only  at  high  tide.  It  was 
necessary  for  the  vessel  to  put  back  out  of  sight  again, 
in  order  to  avoid  the  danger  of  being  blown  onto  the 
bar  and  wrecked.  Two  days  later,  on  the  morning  of 
May  1 1,  land  was  again  seen.  This  time  the  wind  and 
sea  favored  entering  the  Columbia.  The  weather  was 
cold,  and  hailstorms  added  to  the  unpleasantness.  All 
were  hopeful  though,  of  warmer  weather  on  land. 
Anna  Maria  wished  they  were  there.  No  doubt  she 
dreaded  the  crossing  of  the  bar  as  much  as  anyone. 

In  preparation  for  it,  everything  was  lashed  fast  to 
receive  the  breakers,  which  were  very  high.  The  mis- 
sionaries prepared  themselves  to  be  cast  away  if  the 
Lord  so  willed.  Providence  safely  guided  their  vessel 
through  this  dangerous  place,  despite  the  fact  that  it 
was  twenty-one  years  since  the  pilot  had  been  at  this 
spot,  and  the  captain  never  had  been  there.  The  scene 
at  the  crossing  was  both  terrific  and  grand.  There  was 
the  great  danger  and  the  uncertainty  of  the  situation. 
The  slightest  failure  on  the  part  of  the  captain  to  keep 
his  ship  in  the  right  course  might  result  in  a  shipwreck. 
At  the  same  time  the  action  of  the  water,  with  its  roll- 
ing breakers  and  enshrouding  spray,  was  a  sight  to  be- 
hold. But  what  could  be  greater  than  the  inconceivable 

48 


joy  and  gratitude  of  those  on  board  when  they  found 
that  the  Diana  had  made  the  dangerous  crossing  in 
safety?  Shortly  afterward  they  dropped  anchor  in  the 
smooth  waters  of  Baker's  Bay,  thankful  that  they  had 
found  a  safe  harbor  at  last. 

Early  the  next  morning  everyone  went  ashore  to  see 
the  surrounding  country.  Once  more  our  missionary 
friends  trod  the  shores  of  America,  after  a  journey  of 
about  ten  months.  They  were  overjoyed  to  be  really  in 
America  again,  even  though  they  were  several  thousand 
miles  from  home.  To  their  left  lay  Cape  Disappoint- 
ment, superb  in  its  spring  garb  of  flowers  and  foliage. 
Stately  pines,  spruces,  and  hemlocks  covered  the  adja- 
cent hills  and  lifted  their  lofty  branches  in  fairy-like 
silhouettes  against  the  clear,  blue  sky. 

A  short  but  delightful  excursion  was  taken  into  the 
near-by  region.  While  stopping  to  admire  nature  in  its 
springtime  beauty,  all  were  suddenly  surprised  to  see 
an  Indian  advancing  toward  them.  He  greeted  the  mis- 
sionaries with  a  cordial  handshake.  Soon  some  rather 
decently  clad  squaws  emerged  from  the  forest,  where 
they  had  been  hiding,  and  joined  the  group.  Here 
were,  at  last,  the  Indians  whom  Anna  Maria  Pittman 
had  traveled  so  many  thousand  miles  to  convert  to  God. 
Since  these  natives  spoke  but  little  English,  their  con- 
versation with  them  was  rather  brief.  Shortly  afterward 
all  returned  to  the  brig  for  breakfast.  The  Diana 
weighed  anchor  that  morning  and  proceeded  up  the 
Columbia. 

The  channel  of  this  river  proved  to  be  a  difficult  and 
treacherous  one  to  navigate.  The  next  day  the  brig  ran 
aground  when  about  ten  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia  and  four  miles  from  old  Fort  Astoria,  for- 
merly Astor's  headquarters,  which  the  Hudson's  Bay 

49 


Company  had  renamed  Fort  George  in  181 3,  when  it 
eame  into  its  possession.  Mr.  John  Dunn,  the  only  white 
inhabitant  residing  there,  saw  the  plight  of  the  vessel 
and  came  to  see  it.  He  cordially  invited  those  on  board 
to  his  house  to  remain  until  the  boat  was  afloat.7  Cap- 
tain Hinckley  deemed  it  best  to  remain  with  his  ship, 
but  his  wife  and  the  mission  family  accepted  the  kind 
invitation.  They  quite  over-crowded  the  small  home, 
but,  nevertheless,  they  enjoyed  Mr.  Dunn's  hospitality 
very  much. 

The  next  day  was  Sunday,  but  Anna  Maria  has  left 
us  no  record  of  any  service  being  held  on  their  first 
Sabbath  in  Oregon.  We  may  be  sure,  however,  that 
some  appropriate  religious  observance  was  held  to  give 
thanks  for  their  safe  arrival  in  Oregon.  The  brig  was 
finally  gotten  off  that  day.  About  one  o'clock  in  the 
night  Captain  Hinckley  came  after  his  passengers,  and 
they  returned  to  the  ship.  Misfortune  continued  to  fol- 
low them,  for  the  next  day  they  ran  aground  again, 
which  caused  another  delay.  This  made  the  journey 
seem  most  tedious  to  them,  especially  since  they  were 
so  near  their  destination. 

Meanwhile,  it  was  decided  to  send  an  express  to 
Fort  Vancouver  to  announce  their  coming.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
White  accompanied  it  in  a  canoe.  It  was  a  two  days' 
journey  to  the  fort  and  two  more  to  the  mission.  Anna 
Maria  was  invited  to  go  along,  but  she  declined. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  May  17, 
1 837,  the  Diana  reached  Fort  Vancouver.  Since  the  ex- 
press had  already  brought  the  good  news,  the  boat  was 
expected.  Dr.  McLoughlin  went  on  board  the  brig  al- 
most immediately  after  its  arrival,  and  gave  the  mis- 
sionaries the  same  hearty  welcome  that  he  had  accorded 
Jason  Lee  and  his  party  several  years  before.  The  next 

50 


morning  all  the  passengers  were  landed  at  Fort  Van- 
couver. Dr.  McLoughlin  took  them  at  once  to  his 
home,  a  very  handsome  one-story  house  with  a  piazza 
the  full  length,  and  winding  stairs  on  both  sides.  Here 
they  were  introduced  to  Mrs.  McLoughlin,  a  half- 
breed  woman,  and  her  daughter,  Maria  Eloise.  The 
latter  was  a  lovely,  fair-complexioned  girl,  about  twen- 
ty-one years  old,  who  spoke  both  English  and  French. 

Dr.  McLoughlin  proved  himself  to  be  a  most  genial 
host.  Tall  and  straight,  with  long  white  hair,  he  pre- 
sented a  kingly  appearance,  which  bore  out  the  title 
since  accorded  him  of  King  of  Old  Oregon.  His  kind- 
ness and  his  hospitality  greatly  impressed  the  travel- 
weary  missionaries,  as  he  looked  out  for  their  every 
comfort  and  provided  for  them  the  best  that  the  fort 
could  offer. 

When  Dr.  and  Mrs.  White  arrived  at  Fort  Van- 
couver two  days  previously,  the  former,  through  the 
kindness  of  Dr.  McLoughlin,  immediately  sent  an  ex- 
press to  the  Willamette  Mission  to  notify  Jason  Lee  of 
the  safe  arrival  of  the  reenforcement.  At  the  same  time 
he  requested  Mr.  Lee  to  come  to  Fort  Vancouver  to 
meet  and  escort  the  mission  family  to  his  station,  some 
sixty  miles  south.  Newspapers,  containing  the  names  of 
the  newly  arrived  missionaries,  had  been  received  about 
a  week  before.  These  had  evidently  been  brought  by 
some  boat  that  had  come  from  the  Atlantic  Coast  to 
Fort  Vancouver.8 

Everyone  was  now  anxiously  awaiting  the  arrival  of 
Jason  Lee.  Several  days  later  Dr.  McLoughlin  was 
able  to  distinguish,  with  the  aid  of  his  glass,  two  canoes 
paddling  their  way  up  the  river  against  a  strong  wind. 
He  thereupon  announced  to  the  anxious  group  that 
Jason  Lee  was  approaching. 

51 


Miss  Pittman  has  left  us  no  account  of  her  thoughts 
and  feelings  at  this  moment.  Nor  has  she  been  any 
more  enlightening  about  meeting  the  man  whom  she 
had  journeyed  many  thousand  miles  to  marry,  should 
they  find  themselves  to  be  suited  to  each  other.  One 
can  only  imagine  in  some  vague  sort  of  way  what  their 
own  thoughts  and  feelings  might  have  been  under  the 
same,  but  rather  unusual,  circumstances.  As  for  what 
occurred  at  this  time,  we  must  resort  to  the  somewhat 
unreliable  information  that  has  come  down  to  us 
through  others. 

As  soon  as  Dr.  McLoughlin  had  announced  that  Rev. 
Lee  was  nearing  the  fort,  the  mission  family  began  cast- 
ing significant  and  mischievous  glances  toward  Miss 
Pittman.  They  also  made  rather  teasing  remarks,  which 
caused  her  some  embarrassment.  Before  long,  the  tall, 
broad-shouldered,  slightly  stooped  figure  of  Jason  Lee 
entered  the  gate  of  the  fort.  One  cannot  help  wondering 
what  he,  too,  might  have  been  thinking  as  he  hurriedly 
strode  toward  the  place  where  he  was  to  meet  the  lady 
whom  the  Missionary  Society  had  selected  for  his  wife. 
He  had  previously  been  introduced  to  her  in  New  York 
City,  and  was  not  at  all  favorably  impressed  with  her 
personal  appearance  at  that  time.  Much  less  did  he  then 
have  any  idea  of  ever  marrying  her.9  The  nearer  he 
came,  the  more  severe  became  the  teasing,  until  Miss 
Pittman  became  considerably  embarrassed,  though  she 
tried  hard  to  retain  her  composure.  When,  at  last,  he 
entered  the  room  where  all  had  gathered  to  await  his 
coming,  Dr.  McLoughlin,  as  host,  introduced  Jason 
Lee  to  Dr.  White.  They  greeted  each  other  cordially. 
The  latter  in  turn  introduced  the  reverend  gentleman 
to  the  rest  of  the  mission  family.  He  purposely  reserved 


52 


Miss  Pittman  until  the  last.  All  eyes  were  turned  upon 
them  as  they  met.  We  are  told  that 

"A  light  blush  rose  to  her  cheek,  and  a  slight  trepidation,  which 
added  to  the  charm  of  her  manner,  was  all  the  evidence  that 
she  was  conscious  to  any  peculiarity  in  her  position.  That  Mr. 
Lee  was  pleased,  could  be  easily  discovered  from  the  com- 
plaisance of  his  bearing,  and  the  trouble  he  took  to  render  him- 
self agreeable.10 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  the  final  part  of 
their  journey.  After  having  spent  a  very  pleasant  week 
at  Fort  Vancouver,  the  missionaries  departed  on  the 
afternoon  of  May  25.  Captain  Hinckley  and  his  wife 
accompanied  them,  as  well  as  Mr.  J.  L.  Whitcomb  of 
the  Sandwich  Islands,  who  had  been  the  second  officer 
on  the  Diana.  Jason  Lee  had  employed  him  to  assist  in 
transporting  the  baggage  and  some  of  the  goods  sent 
by  the  Mission  Board  up  the  Willamette.11  The  party 
set  off  in  a  boat  and  three  canoes.  It  was  no  doubt  pur- 
posely prearranged  that  Anna  Maria  should  find  her 
place  in  a  canoe  with  Jason  Lee.  She  herself  made  no 
other  comment  than  to  say,  "I  went  with  Mr.  J.  L.  in 
his  canoe." 

They  pushed  off,  happy  in  knowing  that  their  long, 
long  journey  was  so  nearly  ended.  It  was  necessary  to 
spend  two  nights  on  the  trip.  Camp  was  made  each  time 
on  the  banks  of  the  Willamette  River.  They  had  pro- 
vided themselves  with  a  tent  for  shelter. 

It  seemed  to  Anna  Maria  like  the  camp-meetings 
which  she  had  attended  in  her  home  community.  The 
first  night  they  pitched  their  tent  in  a  grove  of  oak 
trees,  which  location  is  now  within  the  present  city  of 
Portland.  The  next  night  was  spent  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Pudding  River,  a  tributary  of  the  Willamette,  and  a 
short  distance  above  the  falls  of  the  latter  name.12 

53 


Canoe  racing  on  the  river  seems  to  have  been  in- 
dulged in  for  amusement.  Jason  Lee  proved  himself  to 
be  an  expert  with  the  paddle,  and  frequently  came  out 
the  victor.  Perhaps  this  accounts  for  the  fact  that  on  the 
second  day  of  the  journey  his  canoe  was  the  first  to 
reach  the  Falls  of  the  Willamette,  thereby  giving  Anna 
Maria  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  white  woman,  so 
far  as  it  is  recorded,  ever  to  gaze  upon  their  beauty. 

Here  they  found  an  Indian  village,  which  was  in- 
habited by  a  tribe  of  poor,  degraded,  and  almost  naked 
Indians.  At  this  point  it  was  necessary  to  land  their 
boats.  A  bargain  was  made  with  the  Indians  to  assist 
them  in  portaging  their  boats  and  baggage  around  the 
falls.  This  accomplished,  the  following  morning  they 
again  took  to  their  canoes  and  paddled  upstream  until 
they  came  to  the  landing  of  Baptiste  Desportes  McKay 
at  Champoeg.  Here  a  little  settlement  had  grown  up, 
which  was  only  about  fifteen  miles  from  the  mission. 

Daniel  Lee  had  sent  word  to  this  place  that  a  num- 
ber of  the  Indian  children  were  quite  ill.  He  requested 
that  Dr.  White  hasten  on  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  order 
to  give  medical  assistance.  Riding  horses  had  previously 
been  arranged  for  here  to  carry  the  missionaries  home. 
They  were  now  ready  and  waiting  to  be  mounted.  In 
accordance  with  the  request  Dr.  White,  Jason  Lee, 
Susan  Downing,  Mrs.  Hinckley,  and  Anna  Maria  Pitt- 
man  made  up  a  party13  to  go  forward  at  a  rapid  gait. 
After  dinner  they  mounted  their  waiting  horses  and 
rode  rapidly  toward  the  mission.  An  enjoyable  ride  of 
three  hours  across  French  Prairie  and  through  groves 
of  trees  brought  them  to  the  spot,  where  Anna  Maria 
wrote  her  parents  she  expected  to  end  her  days. 

Jason  Lee  assisted  the  riders  to  dismount.  He  took 
them  all  to  the  Mission  House  where  he  gave  them  a 

54 


hearty  welcome  to  his  home,  which  was  henceforth  to 
be  their  home  as  well.  Daniel  Lee  and  Cyrus  Shepard 
also  gave  them  a  most  cordial  greeting.  The  latter  was 
preparing  supper  and  had  attired  himself  in  a  brown 
linen  frock.  Since  the  party  arrived  sooner  than  he  had 
expected,  he  had  not  changed  his  clothes,  and  he  was 
seen  before  he  could  slip  away  to  dress  himself  other- 
wise. This  caused  him  not  a  little  embarrassment,  for 
in  the  party  was  Miss  Susan  Downing,  his  intended,  be- 
fore whom  he  wished  to  make  a  good  appearance.  That 
evening  a  bountiful  supper  was  served.  All14  sat  down 
to  a  table  laid  with  a  brown  linen  cloth,  tin  plates,  and 
knives  and  forks.  Cyrus  Shepard  proved  himself  to  be 
a  splendid  cook,  for  he  served  a  tempting  meal  of  fried 
venison,  sausages,  cheese,  unbolted  bread,  butter, 
doughnuts,  and  tea,  with  strawberries  and  cream  for 
dessert. 

At  last  the  long  journey  of  twenty-two  thousand 
miles  was  at  an  end,  and  the  missionaries  were  now  in 
their  new  Oregon  home.  What  a  contrast  it  was  to  the 
homes  they  had  left  some  ten  months  before.  Here  they 
found  a  rough  log  house  of  two  rooms,  a  kitchen  and  a 
school  room,  all  quite  devoid  of  the  many  comforts  to 
which  they  had  been  accustomed.  Here  lived  thirty  In- 
dian children  under  the  care  of  the  mission.  Seven  of 
them  then  lay  ill,  some  of  them  dangerously,  with  no 
other  bed  than  a  mat  and  some  blankets  on  the  floor. 
The  others,  somewhat  unkempt,  gazed  at  the  new  ar- 
rivals with  considerable  curiosity. 

There  was  little  time  for  reflection  upon  the  comple- 
tion of  their  long  journey,  for  so  many  sick  children 
demanded  their  immediate  attention.  Under  their  help- 
ful ministrations  all  soon  recovered.  With  the  Mission 
House  already  taxed  to  capacity,  additional  room  was 

55 


needed  to  accommodate  this  large  increase  in  the  size 
of  the  mission  family.  Plans  were  soon  gotten  under 
way  for  building  an  addition. 

Everyone  was  at  once  assigned  some  duty.  Miss  Pitt- 
man  and  Mrs.  White  were  put  in  charge  of  the  domestic 
affairs.  They  were  assisted  by  Miss  Downing  and  Mr. 
Shepard  in  the  care  of  the  numerous  children.  Miss 
Johnson  assumed  the  duties  of  school  teacher.  Mr. 
Beers  was  very  probably  called  upon  to  follow  his  occu- 
pation of  blacksmith.  No  one  seems  to  have  left  us  a 
record  of  the  work  assigned  to  his  wife,  but  one  can 
guess  that  she,  too,  found  plenty  to  do  in  assisting  with 
the  household  duties.  Mr.  Willson,  certainly,  became 
busy  at  carpenter  work  before  long. 

In  a  short  time  all  had  adjusted  themselves  to  their 
new  situation.  The  house,  which  had  been  kept  in  old 
bachelor's  style,  soon  took  on  quite  a  different  appear- 
ance after  the  women  had  taken  over  the  housekeeping. 
The  homelike  change  seemed  to  please  the  men  folk, 
and  made  the  Lees  feel  very  much  more  at  home  with 
so  many  women  bustling  around.15 

1. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  At  Sea,  August  10,  1836, 
under  date  of  Honolulu,  December  25,  1836,  December  27,  and  A.  M. 
Pittman  to  her  Sister,  [Mrs.  H.  Martin],  Honolulu,  December  28,  1836. 

2. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Honolulu,  Oahu,  April  4, 
1837.  This  letter  has  been  the  basis  for  the  greater  part  of  the  informa- 
tion regarding  Miss  Pittman's  stay  in  Honolulu. 

3. — Hiram  Bingham,  A  residence  of  twenty-one  years  in  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  498,  and  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell,  Ore- 
gon, November  18,  1834,  and  March  31,  1935. 

4. — "E.  White  to  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Missionary  Society 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  March  10,  [1837],"  Christian  Advocate  and  Jour- 
nal, November  24,  1837,  XII,  54. 

5. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Honolulu,  April  4,   1837. 

6. — William  S.  Hinckley  to  Nathan  Spear,  Honolulu,  February  9,  1837. 

7. — According  to  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  54,  Mr.  Birney  was  the 
man  who  invited  the  missionaries  ashore.  For  a  discussion  of  this  point, 
see  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Sisters  and  Brothers,  May  11,  1837, 
note  7  . 

56 


8. — The  events  narrated  so  far  in  this  chapter  are  based  upon  a  letter 
of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Sisters  and  Brothers,  May  11,  1837,  and 
subsequent  dates.  See  also  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  ch.  V. 

9. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  409.  All  accounts  that  state  that  Jason  Lee  met  Miss 
Pittman  for  the  first  time  in  Oregon  are  incorrect. 

10. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  66-67. 

11. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  147. 

12. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  67-70. 

13. — According  to  the  Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,  Jason  Lee  arrived 
at  the  mission  "with  five  of  our  Brethren  and  Sisters"  on  Saturday  after- 
noon, May  27,  1837.  Miss  Allen  includes  the  name  of  Mr.  Willson  in 
the  list  of  those  in  the  advance  party,  but  since  he  did  not  arrive  at  the 
mission  until  June  7,  I  have  omitted  his  name  from  the  list.  No  other 
record  has  been  found  which  gives  the  name  of  the  fifth  person  who 
accompanied  Jason  Lee.  See  "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quar- 
terly of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XXIII,  255-256,  and  Allen,  Ten 
years  in  Oregon,  70. 

14. — Evidently  all  of  the  reenforcement  did  not  reach  the  mission  on 
the  same  day.  Mr.  Beers  and  wife  arrived  on  June  1,  while  Mr.  Willson, 
the  last  to  arrive,  did  not  come  until  June  7.  "Oregon  Mission  Record 
Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XXIII,  255-256. 

15. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  June  5,  1837,  Oregon  Mis- 
sion, Willamette  Rr.,  and  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  67-72. 


57 


CHAPTER  VI 

COURTSHIP  AND  MARRIAGE 

IN  SELECTING  Anna  Maria  Pittman  as  a  wife  for 
its  far-away  missionary,  Rev.  Jason  Lee,  the  Board 
of  Managers  of  the  Methodist  Missionary  Society 
assumed  the  role  of  match-maker  along  with  its  many 
other  duties.  To  help  Cupid  the  better  to  aim  his  darts, 
it  had  hinted  to  Miss  Pittman  before  she  left  that  she 
had  been  selected  with  that  thought  in  mind.  Mean- 
while, word  had  been  sent  to  the  mission  superinten- 
dent that  she  had  been  sent  out  purposely  for  him. 

Throughout  the  long  ten  months'  trip  Anna  Maria 
had  ample  time  to  reflect  upon  the  situation.  It  is  quite 
likely  that  at  times  she  experienced  some  embarrass- 
ment, when  her  companions  teasingly  brought  up  the 
subject.  While  in  Honolulu  she  made  partial  prepara- 
tions for  going  to  housekeeping,  yet  no  definite  decision 
could  be  made  until  she  reached  Oregon.  She  did  not, 
as  has  been  so  often  stated,  arrive  in  Oregon  fully  ex- 
pecting that  Jason  Lee  would  marry  her. 

Rev.  Lee  had  long  maintained  a  noble  view  of  mar- 
riage. From  early  manhood  he  had  looked  forward  to 
the  time  when  he  could  woo  and  win  a  life  companion, 
whom  he  could  make  most  comfortable  and  happy.  It 
was  his  purpose  never  to  give  her  any  reason  to  regret 
that  she  had  become  his  helpmate.  Being  both  practical 
and  sensible,  he  felt  it  best  to  postpone  marrying  until 
circumstances  and  his  economic  position  warranted  car- 

58 


rying  out  his  ideas.  Then  came  his  conversion  to  God 
and  his  subsequent  consent  to  engage  in  missionary  work 
beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Still  retaining  his  same 
views  on  marriage,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  remain  single. 
Fully  realizing  the  dangers  incident  to  women  accom- 
panying the  expedition  to  Oregon,  or  even  joining  the 
missionaries  there  at  any  early  date,  Jason  Lee  decided 
to  exact  no  promise  from  any  woman  prior  to  his  de- 
parture. 

A  young  lady,  especially  selected  for  him,  had  now 
arrived  in  Oregon.  Others  knew  of  the  selection,  and 
prompted  by  natural  curiosity,  they  could  not  refrain 
from  asking  him  if  he  intended  to  marry  her.  To  all 
such  inquisitive  persons  he  stated  his  principles  in  refer- 
ence, to  marriage,  and  ended  by  replying, 

"Though  a  lady  should  travel  the  world  over  in  order  to 
become  my  wife,  yet  I  could  never  consent  to  marry  her,  unless 
upon  acquaintance  I  should  become  satisfied,  that  that  step 
would  be  conducive  to  our  mutual  happiness  and  the  glory  of 
God." 

In  his  diary  he  admitted  that  he  still  retained  the 
same  prejudice  toward  Miss  Pittman,  when  he  met  her 
at  Fort  Vancouver,  as  he  had  had  when  he  was  first  in- 
troduced to  her  in  New  York  City.  Writing  in  his  diary 
a  year  or  so  later,  he  stated  that,  although  he  regarded 
Miss  Pittman  as  a  lady  of  deep  piety  and  good  sense, 
he  was  convinced  that  he  could  never  fancy  her  as  a 
wife.  However,  he  was  practical  enough  to  let  judg- 
ment rather  than  fancy  be  the  deciding  factor;  but  not 
until  he  had  become  better  acquainted  with  her  would 
he  make  any  decision,  even  upon  that  basis.1 

The  prearranged  seating  of  Miss  Pittman  in  Jason 
Lee's  canoe  for  the  two-day  trip  to  the  mission  afforded 
a  splendid  opportunity  for  them  to  know  each  other 

59 


better.  From  all  accounts  Anna  Maria  enjoyed  the  trip 
immensely.  Perhaps  before  the  mission  was  reached,  her 
companion  had  somewhat  changed  his  former  attitude 
toward  her,  and  their  courtship  was  well  begun. 

Jason  Lee  made  the  most  of  his  opportunity  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  Miss  Pittman.  Both  found  it  pos- 
sible to  take  time  from  their  mission  duties  to  spend  in 
each  other's  company.  Horseback  rides  to  make  distant 
calls  provided  occasions  when  they  could  be  away  from 
curious  eyes. 

Cupid  is  a  fast  worker  when  given  a  chance.  Before 
long  the  mission  superintendent  became  the  ardent 
lover.  Doubt  no  longer  lingered  in  his  mind  that  Anna 
Maria  was  well  qualified  to  became  a  most  helpful  and 
affectionate  wife.  He  thought  she  would  be  most  worthy 
of  his  love  and  esteem.  God  had  so  willed,  and  Jason 
Lee  accorded  to  His  views.  In  a  short  interval  of  two 
weeks,  both  had  exchanged  mutual  views  on  the  sub- 
ject of  matrimony.  Then,  yielding  himself  completely 
to  Cupid's  dart,  he  asked  her  hand  in  marriage.2 

It  seems  Miss  Pittman  did  not  answer  Jason  Lee  at 
the  moment.  To  her  it  was  a  question  for  grave  con- 
sideration. Her  thoughts  upon  the  subject  may  best  be 
told  in  her  own  words.  Under  date  of  June  5,  1837, 
she  wrote  in  a  confidential  letter  to  her  parents: 

"You  will  be  anxious  to  know  if  there  is  any  prospect  of  my 
having  a  Protector,  let  me  tell  you  there  is.  Mr.  J.  Lee  has 
broached  the  subject,  it  remains  for  me  to  say  whither  I  shall 
be  his  helpmate  in  his  important  charge ;  I  look  unto  the  Lord 
who  had  thus  far  directed  me  in  the  path  of  duty  to  enamble 
[enable]  me  prayerfully  to  investigate  the  subject,  it  requires 
serious  deliberation,  it  is  an  importation  [important]  station 
to  fill  I  know  that  all  eyes  will  be  placed  upon  me  for  an 
example,  a  station  filled  with  cares  such  a  step  I  would  not 
dare  take  without  wisdom  from  above.  I  am  not  in  haste  but 

60 


perhaps  our  present  situation  requires  it —  I  have  thought 
much  on  the  subject,  and  my  mind  is  fixed,  relying  on  the 
grace  of  God  which  I  have  proved  to  be  sufficient.  I  expect 
to  give  my  heart  and  hand  to  J.  Lee.  when  this  union  will  take 
place  I  am  not  prepared  to  say.  but  probably  soon.  I  would 
not  have  told  [j^ou  ?]  this  but  not  knowing  when  I  should  have 
a  chance  to  [again?]  I  have  thought  proper  to  relieve  your 
minds  that  you  may  not  think  I  am  alone."3 

Evidently  Anna  Maria  believed  in  letting  time  be 
the  test  of  all  true  love.  A  month  later,  just  the  week 
preceeding  her  wedding  day,  she  gave  her  poetic  answer. 
Taking  as  her  theme  the  beautiful  story  of  Ruth's  devo- 
tion to  Naomi,  Anna  Maria  expressed,  in  her  gifted 
way,  an  equal  love  and  devotion  to  the  man  whose  life 
companion. she  now  consented  to  be. 

"Yes,  where  thou  goest  I  will  go, 

With  thine  my  earthly  lot  be  cast  ; 
In  pain  or  pleasure,  joy  or  woe, 

Will  I  attend  thee  to  the  last. 

"That  hour  shall  find  me  by  thy  side, 
And  where  thy  grave  is,  mine  shall  be; 

Death  can  but  for  a  time  divide, 

My  firm  and  faithful  heart  from  thee. 

"Thy  people  and  thy  charge  be  mine, 

Thy  God,  my  God  shall  ever  be ; 
All  that  I  have  receive  as  thine, 

My  heart  and  hand  I  give  to  thee. 

"And  as  through  life  we  glide  along, 

Through  tribulation's  troubled  sea; 
Still  let  our  faith  in  God  be  strong 

And  confidence  unshaken  be." 

Ruth    I.    1 6.    17  ANNA    MARIA 

61 


Plans  for  the  wedding  proceeded  rapidly.  The  Sun- 
day after  Miss  Pittman  had  given  her  answer  came  on 
>July  16.  That  ^day  had  previously  been  appointed  as 
the  time  for  holding  the  first  public  communion  service 
in  Oregon.  To  make  the  occasion  doubly  impressive, 
Cyrus  Shepard  and  Susan  Downing  had  decided  to  be 
married  during  the  same  service.  This  they  believed 
would  have  a  beneficial  effect  upon  the  white  inhabitants 
who  were  living  with  native  women  without  the  sanc- 
tity of  a  marriage  ceremony. 

Shortly  before  the  appointed  day,  Anna  Maria  Pitt- 
man  and  Jason  Lee  decided  that  they  would  make  that 
same  Sunday  their  wedding  day  as  well.  But  this  fact 
they  decided  to  keep  a  secret  from  everyone,  save  Dan- 
iel Lee.  It  was  necessary  to  inform  him  of  their  plans, 
since  he  was  to  perform  the  ceremony.  The  mission 
superintendent  and  his  intended  bride  were  well  aware 
that  the  entire  mission  family  was  very  anxious  to  see 
them  carry  out  the  suggestion  that  the  Mission  Board 
had  made  to  them.  Yet  their  courtship  had  gone  on  so 
quietly  that  no  one  had  any  idea  that  their  wedding 
would  take  place  so  soon,  if  at  all. 

The  morning  of  July  16  dawned  bright  and  clear. 
Betraying  no  hint  of  her  approaching  nuptials,  Miss 
Pittman  assisted  in  preparing  the  Lord's  Supper.  Every- 
one looked  upon  Mr.  Shepard  and  Miss  Downing  as 
the  couple  to  take  their  vows  first  that  morning. 

On  this  historic  day,  God's  sanctuary  was  a  beautiful 
grove  of  fir  trees,  which  was  located  about  forty  rods 
east  of  the  Mission  House.  At  eleven  o'clock  the  entire 
group  of  missionaries  and  their  assistants,  together  with 
the  twenty  or  thirty  Indian  and  half-breed  children  un- 
der their  care,  went  to  this  outdoor  temple.  Here  they 
found  assembled  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  neigh- 

62 


boring  settlement,  many  of  whom,  no  doubt,  had  been 
attracted  there  by  the  news  that  a  wedding  was  to  take 
place.  The  men,  for  the  most  part,  were  French-Cana- 
dians, who  professed  the  Roman  Catholic  faith.  They 
were  accompanied  by  their  Indian  wives  and  half-breed 
children,  all  decked  out  in  their  gayest  finery,  which 
gave  a  vivid  touch  of  color  to  the  scene.  Besides,  a  good- 
ly number  of  Indians  in  native  dress  had  gathered 
round.  It  was  a  strangely  mixed  congregation. 

A  more  picturesque  setting  could  not  have  been  found 
for  the  ceremonies  which  were  to  be  solemnized.  Near- 
by rippled  the  limpid  waters  of  the  beautiful  Wil- 
lamette River.  The  stately  firs,  their  giant  branches  sil- 
houetted against  the  azure  sky,  formed  a  perfect  back- 
ground. A  pine  fragrance,  like  that  of  incense,  filled  the 
air.  At  the  same  time  the  trees  sang  a  calm  refrain  as 
the  breeze  gently  rustled  through  their  boughs. 
All  nature  seemed  to  be  attuned  to  this  eventful  occa- 
sion. This  calm  and  beautiful  environment  gave  inspira- 
tion to  the  scene  and  a  devotional  frame  of  mind  to 
those  who  were  gathered  there. 

The  Reverend  Jason  Lee  opened  the  services  by  an- 
nouncing and  reading  Addison's  beautiful  hymn,  the 
first  verse  of  which  is — 

"When  all  thy  mercies,  O !  my  God, 

My  rising  soul  surveys, 
Transported  with  the  view,  I'm  lost 

In  wonder,  love  and  praise." 

One  can  only  imagine  how  that  little  gathering  sang  this 
hymn  in  God's  great  out-of-doors.  After  the  singing, 
with  the  entire  congregation  on  bended  knee,  the  mis- 
sion superintendent  offered  prayer,  trusting,  at  the  same 
time,  that  "many  prayers  came  up  as  memorials  before 
God." 

63 


When  all  had  resumed  their  seats,  Rev.  Lee  solemn- 
ly arose  and  addressed  his  motley  congregation  sub- 
stantially as  follows: 

"My  beloved  Friends  and  Neighbors,  More  than  two  years 
have  rolled  into  eternity  and  bourne  their  report  of  the  manner 
in  which  we  have  spent  them ;  since  God  in  his  providence  cast 
my  lot  among  you.  During  this  period  I  have  addressed  you 
many  times  and  on  various  subjects,  and  I  trust  that  you  bear 
me  witness  this  day,  that  I  never  have,  in  any  one  instance, 
advised  you  to  [do]  that  which  is  wrong;  but,  that  I  have, 
on  all  occasions,  urged  you  to  cease  to  do  evil,  and  learn  to  do 
well.  And  I  have  frequently  addressed  you  in  no  measured 
terms  upon  the  subject  of  the  holy  institution  of  marriage  and 
endeavored  to  impress  you,  with  the  importance  of  that  duty. 
It  is  an  old  saying,  and  a  true  one,  that  example  speaks  louder 
than  precept  and  I  have  long  been  convinced  that  if  we  would 
have  others  practice  what  we  recommend,  circumstances  being 
equal,  we  must  set  them  the  example.  And  now,  my  friends,  I 
intend  to  give  you  unequivocal  proof  that  I  am  willing,  in  this 
respect,  at  least,  to  practice  what  I  have  so  often  recommended 
to  you." 

Immediately  after  these  words  were  spoken,  Jason 
Lee  left  his  improvised  pulpit,  stepped  forward  to 
where  Miss  Pittman  was  sitting,  and  led  her  to  the 
altar.  An  expression  of  surprise  stole  over  the  faces  of 
the  congregation.  So  carefully  had  the  secret  been  kept, 
save  Daniel  Lee,  not  a  soul  knew  of  their  intentions. 
That  all  were  pleased  was  quite  evident.  Rev.  Daniel 
Lee  now  took  his  uncle's  place  in  the  pulpit  and  read 
the  service,  according  to  the  Methodist  discipline,  which 
united  these  two  earnest  missionaries  in  the  holy  bonds 
of  matrimony.  On  this  historic  occasion  Anna  Maria 
Pittman  became  the  first  white  bride  in  all  of  the  great 
Oregon  country. 

The  ceremony  being  over,  Jason  Lee  escorted  his 
bride  back  to  her  seat,  and  then  resumed  his  accustomed 

64 


place.  Cyrus  Shepard  now  brought  Miss  Downing  to 
the  altar  where  they  were  united  in  marriage  by  Jason 
Lee.  A  third  ceremony  followed  immediately  afterward, 
when  Miss  Nancy,  an  Indian  girl  of  the  Callapooya 
tribe,  became  the  dusky  bride  of  Charles  Roe.  A  triple 
wedding!  And  who  could  tell  what  a  profound  influence 
these  examples  of  Christian  marriage  would  have  upon 
the  settlers  of  the  community?  To  the  three  happy 
brides  and  grooms  it  was  a  momentous  occasion,  and  one 
unique  in  the  annals  of  Oregon  history. 

The  service  of  the  day  continued  with  the  singing  of 
the  hymn — 

"Watchman  tell  us  of  the  night, 

What  its  signs  of  promise  are. 
Traveller!  o'er  yon  mountain's  height, 

See  that  glory  beaming  star. 
Watchman !  does  its  beauteous  ray 

Aught  of  joy  or  hope  foretell? 
Traveller!  yes,  it  brings  the  day, 

Promised  day  of  Israel." 

JOHN  BOWERING. 

Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Mr.  Willson.  Following  it, 
Rev.  Jason  Lee  preached  a  very  appropriate  sermon 
using  as  his  text  Numbers  X:  29,  "Come  thou  with  us, 
and  we  will  do  thee  good:  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken 
good  concerning  Israel." 

The  sermon  was  most  impressive  and  brought  tears 
to  the  eyes  of  many  of  the  listeners.  Accounts  tell  us 
that  even  some  of  those  present  who  could  not  under- 
stand the  language  appeared  to  be  greatly  affected  by 
the  power  and  expression  of  its  delivery.  At  the  close  of 
the  sermon,  Jason  Lee  read  and  explained  the  rules  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Society,  baptized  Charles  Roe, 
whom  he  had  married  a  short  while  before,  and  then 
received  him  into  the  church. 

65 


The  services  were  now  given  over  to  Rev.  Daniel 
Lee,  who  administered  the  Lord's  Supper.  Fourteen 
communicants  responded  to  the  invitation  to  come  for- 
ward and  partake  of  the  consecrated  elements.  Four- 
teen souls  were  refreshed  and  inspired  at  the  rustic 
altar  that  morning.  Later  Jason  Lee  wrote  in  his  diary, 

".  .  .  I  have  seldom  known  the  presence  of  the  Lord  more  sen- 
sibly and  powerfully  manifested  than  on  that  occasion," 

Among  those  present  that  day  was  Webley  Haux- 
hurst,  a  young  man  from  New  York,  who  had  been 
brought  up  in  the  Quaker  belief.  For  some  time  he  had 
given  good  evidence  that  he  had  been  converted  to  the 
Methodist  faith,  and  had  prayed  that  his  duty  in  regard 
to  baptism  might  be  made  plain  to  him.  Moved  perhaps 
by  the  sight  of  the  communicants  at  the  altar,  he  came 
forward  and  begged  to  be  baptized  and  received  into 
the  Methodist  Church,  so  that  he  might  partake  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  on  the  same  day.  This  request  was  grant- 
ed, and  Mr.  Hauxhurst  became  a  worthy  member  of 
the  church. 

Following  this  a  Love  Feast,  "or  rather  a  feast  of 
love",  was  held.  Each  member  of  the  church  present 
"brought  in  testimony  for  the  Lord,  and  bore  witness 
to  the  truth  excelency  and  importance  of  the  religion 
of  Jesus  Christ."  Even  some  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
neighbors  told  of  the  wicked  lives  they  had  lived  in  the 
past,  and  expressed  a  desire  to  live  better  in  the  future, 
in  order  that  their  souls  might  be  saved.  A  hymn  and 
a  prayer  concluded  the  service.4 

Three  Christian  marriages  had  taken  place,  two  peo- 
ple had  been  baptized  and  received  into  the  church, 
fourteen  had  partaken  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  while 
many  had  testified  to  the  goodness  of  God.  What  a 

66 


wedding  day  it  had  been  for  Anna  Maria!  In  her  mind 
all  had  resounded  to  the  Glory  of  God,  and  she  must 
have  been  overjoyed. 

When  the  services  were  over,  we  can  imagine  the 
congregation  gathering  around  the  three  newly  wedded 
couples  to  offer  their  congratulations  and  good  wishes. 
Perhaps  no  couple  was  the  recipient  of  more  felicitations 
than  the  mission  superintendent  and  his  worthy  bride, 
who  had  so  pleasingly  surprised  everyone.  Dinner  that 
day,  doubtless,  was  in  the  nature  of  a  wedding  feast. 

1. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  406-409- 

2.— Ibid.,  XVII,  409. 

3. — Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  June  5,  1837,  Oregon  Mission, 
Willamette  Rr. 

4. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,  XVII,  410-412;  "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  Ibid., 
XXIII,  256;  Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  149-150;  Allen,  Ten 
years  in  Oregon,  76;  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the  world 
with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  25;  and  H.  K.  Hines,  Missionary 
history  of  the  Pacific  Northwest,  125-131. 


61 


CHAPTER  VII 

A  DELAYED  HONEYMOON 

THE  DAY  following  such  a  Sunday  service  as  has 
just  been  described,  more  than  likely  found  the 
missionary  brides  and  grooms  going  about  their 
accustomed  duties.  Theirs  was  a  labor  of  love,  and  the 
Lord's  work  must  go  on  in  this  far-away  mission.  There 
was  no  time  for  special  celebration  afterward. 

Several  weeks  later  the  sickly  season  came  on.  Jason 
Lee  and  Cyrus  Shepard  were  much  afflicted  with  fever 
and  ague,  which  had  come  to  be  prevalent  among  the 
members  of  the  mission  household  during  the  summer 
months.  A  change  was  deemed  advisable  for  the  two 
men.  Accordingly,  on  August  2,  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Lee 
and  Cyrus  Shepard  set  out  on  an  excursion  for  the  bene- 
fit of  their  health.  They  were  accompanied  bv  Mr.  Des- 
portes1  as  guide.  All  rode  on  horseback.  For  several 
days  thev  journeved  leisurely  southward  up  the  Wil- 
lamette River.  Then,  changing  their  course  to  the  east, 
they  crossed  over  to  the  Pudding  River.2  From  that 
point  the  little  party  made  its  wav  to  Campment  du 
Sable  or  Champoeg,  where  the  Willamette  River  was 
crossed.  In  the  course  of  their  travels  they  met  a  few 
bands  of  Indians  to  whom  thev  attempted  to  impart 
some  knowledge  of  the  Gospel.  The  remainder  of  the 
journey  was  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Willamette. 
About  noon  on  August  10,  they  arrived  safely  at  the 


68 


Mission  House.  All  found  that  the  journey  had  some- 
what improved  their  health.3 

Four  days  later  Jason  Lee  and  Cyrus  Shepard,  to- 
gether with  their  wives,  set  out  on  a  delayed  honey- 
moon trip  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Joseph  Gervais4  had 
been  secured  as  guide  for  this  pleasant  journey.  About 
one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  crossed  the  Willam- 
ette River  and  rode  toward  the  west.  By  evening  they 
had  reached  a  branch  of  the  Yamhill  River,  where  they 
made  their  camp  for  the  night.  The  next  day  their  route 
lay  through  a  most  beautiful  country,  which  was  a  de- 
light to  their  eyes.  Camp  was  made  the  second  night  at 
the  foot  of  the  Coast  Range.     - 

In  the  morning  they  commenced  crossing  the  moun- 
tains. -The  trail  was  found  to  be  an  exceedingly  difficult 
one,  because  of  its  steep  ascent  and  descent.  To  add  fur- 
ther to  the  difficulty,  numerous  large  trees  had  fallen 
across  their  path.  The  horses  had  been  trained  to  jump 
the  tree  trunks,  and  those  members  of  the  party,  who 
had  been  accustomed  to  horseback  riding,  took  the 
jumps  with  ease.  Not  so  Mrs.  Cyrus  Shepard.  She  had 
ridden  little  previous  to  this  trip/Whenever  her  mount 
jumped  a  fallen  log  she  slipped  off,  though  somehow 
she  managed  to  land  on  her  feet  every  time.  This  made 
great  sport  for  the  rest  of  the  party.5  After  traveling 
slowly  all  day  they  came  to  a  deep  valley  in  the  moun- 
tains where  they  decided  to  spend  the  night. 

The  following  day  they  hoped  to  reach  the  shores  of 
the  Pacific.  They  had  not  counted  upon  the  difficulties 
of  the  trail,  which  so  retarded  their  progress,  that  eve- 
ning came  upon  them  in  a  narrow  vale,  some  eleven  or 
twelve  miles  from  the  ocean.  Here  they  found  it  neces- 
sary to  pitch  their  tents.  Rain  fell  during  the  night  and 
continued  to  do  so  the  next  morning.  By  eleven  o'clock 

69 


they  thought  it  was  over,  so  they  resumed  their  jour- 
ney. Much  to  their  disappointment,  it  soon  commenced 
raining  again  and  continued  most  of  the  way.  About 
five  o'clock  that  afternoon  they  reached  the  seashore. 
All  were  thoroughly  drenched.  A  beautiful  camp  site 
was  selected  in  a  small  grove  of  pine  and  cypress  trees. 
Soon  a  good  fire  added  to  their  comfort  and  afforded 
them  an  opportunity  to  dry  their  wet  clothing. 

A  very  pleasant  week  was  spent  at  this  delightful 
place.  The  beach  supplied  many  clams  and  shellfish,  so 
they  enjoyed  many  clam  and  fish  bakes,  which  are  still 
popular  along  the  Oregon  seashore.  Frequent  dips  in 
the  surf  helped  to  invigorate  their  ague-racked  bodies 
and  seemed  to  improve  their  health  materially. 

Even  on  a  honeymoon  trip  these  two  happy  couples 
did  not  forget  their  missionary  duties.  They  sought  out 
the  Killemook  Indians  who  inhabited  that  part  of  the 
country,  and  tried,  as  best  they  could,  to  preach  to 
them.  Just  how  much  they  were  able  to  instruct  them 
in  the  Christian  religion  it  is  hard  to  tell,  but  at  least 
the  missionaries  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  they 
had,  according  to  their  own  ideas,  done  their  duty  by 
these  Indians. 

Everybody  was  ready  on  August  26  to  leave  their 
pleasant  encampment  and  return  to  their  active  duties 
at  the  mission.  The  journey  back  took  four  days,  and 
toilsome  ones  they  were.  They  encountered  the  same 
steep  trails  as  on  the  outward  trip.  The  same  large  trees 
across  their  path  caused  them  to  jump  their  horses  over 
them  again.  Frequently  they  found  it  necessary  to  alight 
and  make  their  way  on  foot.  This  proved  to  be  very 
fatiguing;  yet  they  were  true  optimists  about  it.  Upon 
their  return  to  the  mission  four  days  later,  one  of  the 
number  wrote  in  the  Mission  Record  Book  that  they 

70 


hoped  that  the  journey  would  "eventually  prove  a  ben- 
efit to  our  health  and  better  enable  us  to  pursue  the 
business  of  our  calling."6 



1. — Probably  J.  B.  Desportes,  a  half-breed,  who  lived  near  the  Falls 
of  the  Willamette.  [John  Ball],  "Across  the  continent  seventy  years 
ago,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  III,  102. 

2. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,  257.  According  to  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A 
voyage  round  the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  26,  they 
crossed  over  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Molalla  River  and  followed  that 
stream  to  its  junction  with  the  Willamette. 

3. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  His- 
torical Society,  XXIII,  257,  and  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round 
the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  26. 

4. — Joseph  Gervais  was  a  French  Canadian  who  had  come  to  Oregon 
with  Astor's  overland  party  in  1812.  He  remained  as  a  trapper  with 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  when  it  took  over  the  Astor  interests,  and 
was  one  of  the  best  of  the  Company's  old  hands.  He  was  a  quiet  person 
and  one'  very  easy  to  get  along  with.  Later  he  became  a  farmer  and 
settled  at  Chamayway,  a  few  miles  above  Champoeg  and  near  the  site 
of  the  Oregon  Mission.  Jason  and  Daniel  Lee  stopped  at  his  place  when 
on  their  way  up  the  Willamette  to  establish  the  mission.  The  mission- 
aries and  Mr.  Gervais  became  very  friendly.  It  was  at  the  latter's  home 
that  Jason  Lee  conducted  Sunday  services  while  the  mission  was  under 
construction.  One  account  tells  us  that  Jason  Lee  used  Mr.  Gervais  as 
one  of  the  persons  to  whom  he  gave  much  of  the  unusable  material  that 
the  good  eastern  people  had  so  kindly,  though  unintelligently,  contribut- 
ed to  the  missionary  boxes.  Mr.  Gervais  later  espoused  the  cause  of  the 
United  States  in  the  Oregon  controversy.  Carey,  History  of  Oregon,  25, 
and  Recollections  of  George  B.  Roberts,  40.  MS. 

5. — Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell,  Oregon,  March 
31,  1935. 

6. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,  257,  and  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage 
round  the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  27. 


71 


CHAPTER  VIII 

ONE  YEAR  A  MISSIONARY 

THE  HONEYMOON  over,  the  missionary  brides 
and  grooms  settled  down  to  the  routine  life  of 
the  mission.  The  thirty  Indian  children  in  their 
charge  demanded  their  constant  attention,  for  their 
bodies,  as  well  as  their  souls,  required  the  missionaries' 
care. 

Since  Mrs.  Lee  had  been  assigned  to  household  du- 
ties, upon  her  arrival  at  the  mission,  she  found  herself 
more  than  busy  with  them.  To  her  seems  to  have  fallen 
much  of  the  work  of  preparing  the  food  for  the  many 
hungry  mouths.  The  mission  produced  much  of  its  own 
foodstuffs,  so  the  mission  family  fared  well  in  that  re- 
spect. Anna  Maria  wrote  of  making  bread1  and  of  bak- 
ing an  ovenful  of  pumpkin  pies  and  gingerbread, 
which  were  enough  to  tempt  the  palate  of  most  any 
hungry  person.  Ever  since  she  had  been  at  the  mission 
she  had  made  twelve  pounds  of  butter  a  week.  After 
the  arrival  of  a  large  herd  of  cattle  from  California, 
which  had  been  purchased  by  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity, 
the  mission  received  eighty  head  as  its  share.  This 
would  insure  plenty  of  milk,  butter,  and  beef  in  the  fu- 
ture.2 It  would  seem  that  the  weekly  churning  increased 
after  that. 

Despite  the  fact  that  the  mission  was  so  abundantly 
supplied  with  dairy  products,  it  was  some  time  before 
Mrs.  Lee  could  be  induced  to  use  them  liberally.  Being 
city-bred  and  one  of  a  large  family,  she  had  been  in  the 

72 


habit  of  economizing  on  butter,  cream,  and  whole  milk. 
At  the  mission  there  was  no  other  use  for  these  things, 
and  they  were  intended  solely  for  its  own  table.  The 
other  ladies  took  her  to  task  about  her  limited  use  of 
cream  and  butter.  Certainly  they  protested  when  she 
served  skim  milk.  After  awhile,  however,  Mrs.  Lee 
learned  to  be  more  generous  in  the  use  of  these  abun- 
dant foods.3 

In  addition  to  the.  heavy  domestic  labors  of  the  mis- 
sion, Mrs.  Lee  also  made  clothes  for  the  Indian  chil- 
dren.4 Her  nimble  fingers  turned  out  many  a  garment 
to  supply  the  increasing  demand  for  suitable  clothing  to 
keep  the  mission  charges  properly  clad. 

This  missionary  lady  had  come  to  Oregon  with  only 
one  thought  uppermost  in  her  mind.  It  was  to  devote 
her  life  to  converting  the  Indians  to  God.  Along  with 
her  many  household  cares  and  duties  she  found  time  to 
give  to  that  most  pleasant  task.  On  Sunday  she  taught  a 
class  of  Indian  children  in  the  Sabbath  School.5 

Sunday  services  at  the  mission  were  always  a  special 
delight  to  Mrs.  Lee.  The  arrival  of  the  new  mission- 
aries aided  greatly  in  the  conducting  of  divine  worship. 
Especially  was  the  singing  greatly  improved  by  the  ad- 
dition of  so  many  voices  familiar  with  the  Methodist 
hymns.  Mrs.'  Cyrus  Shepard  had  a  particularly  fine 
voice,  and  she  was  a  great  help  in  that  respect.  These 
Sabbath  meetings  attracted  many  who  were  then  resid- 
ing in  the  vicinity.  More  and  more  outsiders  came  to 
worship  at  the  Mission  House.  Many  of  the  men  were 
accompanied  by  their  Indian  wives.  One  Sunday  a  fur- 
trader,  who  chanced  to  be  in  the  vicinity  that  day,  came 
to  the  meeting  and  brought  his  squaw.  She  had  a  baby 
boy,  three  months  old.  Wishing  to  do  things  like  the 
white  women,  she  had  made  him  a  broadcloth  suit  with 

73 


a  tiny  vest  and  a  swallow-tailed  coat.  The  child  had 
bare  feet,  and  they  looked  very  funny  sticking  out  of 
his  little  trousers.  At  the  sight  of  this  incongruously 
dressed  Indian  baby,  Mrs.  Cyrus  Shepard  became  so 
amused  that  she  had  to  step  out  or  laugh  right  there. 
When  she  returned,  her  husband  shook  his  head  at  her, 
which  only  served  to  increase  her  mirth.  She  again 
found  it  necessary  to  leave,  and  had  to  remain  away 
from  the  services  that  day.  The  other  mission  ladies 
seem  to  have  been  better  able  to  control  themselves  on 
this  occasion6 

All  evidence  seems  to  show  that  Mrs.  Lee's  marriage 
was  a  happy  one.  In  writing  to  her  brother  George,  who 
had  married  after  she  left  for  Oregon,  she  said,  "I  hope 
you  are  as  happy  with  your  wife  as  I  am  with  my  hus- 
band."7 Jason  Lee,  himself,  had  found  domestic  happi- 
ness and  bliss  with  the  one  whom  the  Mission  Board 
had  selected  for  his  wife.  Their  love  and  affection  for 
each  other  increased  as  the  months  passed.  No  domestic 
quarrels,  cross  looks,  nor  unkind  words  marred  their 
marital  happiness.  Perfect  harmony  existed  between 
them,  and  they  were  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  each 
other's  company.8 

After  eight  brief  months  of  happy  wedded  life  the 
call  of  duty  summoned  Jason  Lee  away  from  her,  who 
had  contributed  so  much  to  his  happiness.  The  extension 
of  the  mission  field  among  some  of  the  neighboring  In- 
dian tribes  had  been  a  matter  of  consideration  for  some 
time  among  the  workers.  However,  assistance  and  re- 
enforcements  were  necessary  to  carry  out  the  plans.  No 
one  was  more  familiar  with  the  conditions  in  Oregon 
than  the  mission  superintendent  himself.  It  was  deemed 
wisest  by  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  mission  that 
Jason  Lee  make  a  visit  to  the  United  States  and  per- 

74 


sonally  lay  before  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  the 
situation  among  the  Indians  of  Oregon  and  the  needs 
of  the  mission  in  order  to  extend  its  work. 

Since  a  written  communication  could  not  possibly  rep- 
resent the  situation  clearly  to  the  Board,  Jason  Lee, 
though  in  somewhat  feeble  health,  realized  that  it  was 
his  duty  to  go.  A  request  was  made  to  Dr.  McLoughlin 
for  passage  on  one  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's 
boats,  but  that  could  not  be  granted.  A  long  overland 
journey  was  the  only  other  alternative,  and  Rev.  Lee 
was  on  the  point  of  persuading  himself  that  he  was  not 
obliged  to  go  under  existing  circumstances.  In  the 
meantime,  however,  Mr.  Edwards  of  the  mission  and  a 
Mr.  Ewing,  who  had  come  to  Oregon  from  Missouri, 
decided  to  try  the  overland  route.  The  company  of 
these  two  gentlemen  would  remove  some  of  the  dan- 
gers and  loneliness  of  the  trip.  Being  further  urged  by 
his  brethren  at  the  mission,  Jason  Lee  now  resolved  to 
cast  his  lot  with  them. 

Only  two  or  three  days  remained  for  him  to  get 
ready  for  the  journey.  Consequently,  preparations  had 
to  be  made  with  all  possible  haste.9  Painful,  indeed,  was 
the  thought  of  parting  with  his  faithful  wife,  who  had 
been  such  a  devoted  companion  to  him  in  all  his  labors. 
More  painful,  too,  was  the  thought  of  being  separated 
from  her  in  her  hour  of  approaching  motherhood,  and 
of  leaving  her  to  face  that  trying  ordeal  alone.  Mrs. 
Lee,  too,  felt  deeply  the  necessity  of  being  separated 
from  her  husband.  But  with  the  same  courage  and  con- 
viction that  had  sustained  her  in  her  determination  to 
enter  the  missionary  field,  and  with  the  same  trust  in 
God  that  had  brought  her  safely  to  Oregon,  she  cast 
aside  all  personal  thoughts  and  desires,  and  put  duty 

IS 


first.  She  made  no  attempt  to  dissuade  him  from  going, 
but  declared, 

"I  will  not  take  it  upon  me  to  advise  either  way;  and  I 
will  not  put  myself  in  the  way  of  the  performance  of  your 
duty;  but  if  you  think  it  duty  to  go,  go,  for  I  did  not  marry 
you  to  hinder,  but  rather  to  aid  you  in  the  performance  of  your 
duty."10 

What  nobler  words  could  have  been  spoken? 

In  a  letter  to  her  mother,  written  on  the  day  before 
her  husband's  departure,  Anna  Maria  tells  what  a  great 
sacrifice  it  will  be  to  be  separated  from  her  "dearest 
half".  She  viewed  it  as  the  will  of  God  and  as  neces- 
sary for  the  promotion  of  His  work.  That  beautiful 
attitude  enabled  her  to  submit  to  the  separation.  The 
thought  of  her  husband  being  away  when  her  child 
would  be  born  almost  overwhelmed  her;  yet  she  took 
courage  and  put  her  trust  in  the  Lord.  She  felt  that 
any  sacrifice  made  for  His  cause  could  not  be  too  great, 
but  would  serve  to  enhance  their  happiness.  As  a  hum- 
ble servant  walking  in  the  path  of  duty,  all  would  go 
well  with  her.  With  that  thought  ever  present,  she  felt 
that  she  could  "hail  pain,  affliction,  sorrow  and  death 
with  pleasure."  Mrs.  Lee  wrote  that  she  would  like 
very  much  to  see  all  of  her  familv  once  more,  but  did 
not  expect  that  she  would  meet  them  again  on  earth.11 
Perhaos  she  had  a  strange  foreboding  that  Oregon  was 
to  be  her  resting  place. 

As  the  time  of  separation  drew  near,  Anna  Maria 
again  invoked  the  muse  of  noetrv.  In  the  same  poetic 
manner  in  which  she  had  given  her  heart  and  hand  to 
Jason  Lee  less  than  a  vear  before,  she  now  bade  him  an 
affectionate  farewell.  A  short  time  before  her  husband's 
departure  she  gave  him  the  following  poem: 

76 


"Must  my  dear  Companion  leave  me, 
Sad  and  lonely  here  to  dwell? 

If  'tis  duty  thus  that  calls  thee, 
Shall  I  keep  thee?  No,  farewell; 

Though  my  heart  aches 
While  I  bid  thee  thus  farewell. 

"Go  thou  loved  one,  God  go  with  thee 
To  protect  and  save  from  harm ; 

Though  thou  dost  remove  far  from  me 
Thou  art  safe  beneath  that  arm  ; 

Go  in  peace  then, 
Let  thy  soul  feel  no  alarm. 

"Go,  thy  Savior  will  go  with  thee, 

All  thy  footsteps  to  attend; 
Though  you  may  feel  anxious  for  me, 

Thine  and  mine  he  will  defend ; 
Fear  not,  husband, 

God  thy  Father  is,  and  friend. 

"Rocks  and  mountains  may  divide  us, 
Streams  of  water  too  will  flow; 

Time  to  me  will  seem  most  tedious, 
And  the  hours  will  move  too  slow, 

Thus  divided, 
Oh,  what  cares  my  heart  will  know. 

"Go  and  seek  for  fellow  laborers, 
Tell  them  that  the  field  is  white: 

God  will  show  them  many  favours, 
While  they  teach  the  sons  of  night : 

Bid  them  hasten, 
Here  to  bring  the  Gospel  light. 

"Though  thy  journey  may  seem  dreary, 
While  removed  from  her  you  love ; 

Though  you  often  may  feel  weary, 
Look  for  comfort  from  above: 

God  will  bless  you 
And  thy — journey  prosperous  prove. 


77 


"Farewell,  husband,  while  you  leave  me, 

Tears  of  sorrow  oft  will  flow: 
Day  and  night  will  I  pray  for  thee, 

While  through  dangers  you  may  go : 
Oh,  remember, 

Her  who  loves  you  much:  Adieu." 

JASON    LEE.  ANNA    MARIA    LEE.12 

While  this  poem,  no  doubt,  portrays  the  heartache  of 
separation,  yet  it  shows  a  true  sense  of  devotion  and  a 
trust  in  God  for  the  protection  of  her  departing  loved 
one. 

Jason  Lee  bade  farewell  to  his  wife  on  the  morning 
of  March  26.13  Well  did  they  know  that  they  would 
not  see  each  other  again  for  at  least  a  year  and  a  half. 
Added  to  this  was  the  knowledge  that  Jason  Lee  would 
probably  not  hear  from  his  wife  during  the  whole  time. 
At  best  she  could  expect  to  hear  from  him  during  only 
the  first  three  months.  That  served  to  make  the  parting 
still  more  difficult. 

The  farewell  scene  was  undoubtedly  a  great  strain 
upon  Mrs.  Lee,  for  she  found  it  necessary  to  lie  down 
afterward.  About  a  half  hour  later  she  arose,  brushed 
up,  and  went  about  preparing  dinner.  It  was  a  lonely 
meal.  Only  three  of  the  mission  family  sat  down  to  eat. 

After  dinner  Mrs.  Lee  found  that  the  best  way  to 
alleviate  her  sadness  was  to  busy  herself.  She  went  to 
work  and  cleared  up  her  bedroom  and  performed  other 
household  tasks.  In  the  meantime,  there  was  a  bit  of 
excitement  in  the  kitchen.  A  row  occurred  between  a 
Kanaka  and  an  Indian.  Since  there  was  no  man  about 
just  then,  it  devolved  upon  Anna  Maria  to  interfere. 
She  calmly  stepped  up  and  took  the  Indian's  gun  away 
from  him.  Thereupon,  the  combatants  agreed  to  fight 
each  other  the  next  day.  However,  their  plans  were 

78 


frustrated,  for  Mr.  Willson  soon  came  into  the  house 
and  settled  the  affair  then  and  there. 

Two  days  after  Rev.  Lee's  departure  his  wife  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  him  just  at  the  close  of  the  weekly 
prayer  meeting.  It  had  evidently  been  written  while  he 
was  en  route  to  Fort  Vancouver,  and  was  sent  back  by 
a  messenger.  Mrs.  Lee  received  it  with  great  joy  and 
lost  no  time  in  reading  it.  She  answered  it  almost  im- 
mediately, and  told  him  all  that  had  happened  since 
his  departure.14 

A  week  or  so  later  Mrs.  Lee  again  rejoiced  at  re- 
ceiving another  letter  from  her  husband.  It  comforted 
her  lonely  heart.  Already  she  was  looking  forward  to 
receiving  another,  which  arrived  in  a  day  or  so.  Again 
she  immediately  penned  an  answer,  well  knowing  that 
Jason  Lee  would  be  as  glad  to  hear  from  her,  as  she 
was  to  hear  from  him. 

After  her  husband's  departure  Anna  Maria  was  not 
at  all  well,  and  she  found  it  necessary  to  remain  quiet 
and  rest  considerably.  She  suffered  much  pain,  which 
gave  Dr.  White  reason  to  think  that  her  child  might  be 
born  sooner  than  she  had  expected.  He  had  informed 
her  to  that  effect.  This  information  she  communicated 
to  her  husband.  At  the  same  time  she  wrote  that  her 
mind  seemed  to  be  gradually  preparing  for  what  she 
must  pass  through.  She  was  willing  to  welcome  what- 
ever the  Lord  saw  fit  to  call  her  to  do,  even  unto  death, 
only  trusting  that  she  might  be  able  to  say,  "Thy  will 
be  done".  Who  but  a  devoted  missionary,  with  an  un- 
shaken confidence  in  her  God,  could  so  serenely  accept 
His  will? 

For  several  days  this  good  wife  added  to  her  letter 
to  her  husband,  probably  hoping,  thereby,  to  bridge 
partially  the  distance  between  them,  as  she  waited  for 

79 


an  opportunity  to  send  it  to  him.  Each  new  line  was 
but  another  expression  of  her  firm  faith  and  of  her 
constant  devotion  to  him.15 

Our  missionary  lady  was  again  made  very  happy  on 
Saturday  morning,  April  14.  She  had  just  returned 
from  spending  the  night  with  Mrs.  Leslie,  a  sister 
missionary,  when  a  package  arrived  for  her.  To  her 
great  delight  it  contained  two  letters  from  her  husband, 
besides  his  watch  and  two  other  letters.  Though  night 
found  her  tired  from  doing  a  busy  Saturday's  work, 
she  could  not  retire  without  first  writing  her  husband 
a  few  lines  to  tell  him  of  the  great  joy  she  experienced 
when  she  received  his  letters  so  unexpectedly  that 
morning. 

On  Sunday  Mrs.  Lee  did  not  feel  very  well,  and  she 
was  obliged  to  rest  all  day.  By  evening  she  felt  better 
and  resumed  writing  the  letter  which  she  had  started  to 
her  husband  the  preceding  evening.  She  was  lonely  as 
she  wrote.  How  often  she  had  almost  heard  her  hus- 
band's footsteps  and  his  hand  upon  the  latch.  Alas! 
'twas  but  a  dream.  So  many  things  in  their  little  apart- 
ment served  to  remind  her  of  him.  Many  of  his  per- 
sonal belongings  remained  just  where  he  had  left  them, 
but  they  simply  whispered  to  her,  "He  is  gone."  Know- 
ing well  that  he  would  be  anxious  concerning  her 
health,  she  told  him  that  it  was  about  the  same,  and 
that  she  was  patiently  endeavoring  to  bide  her  time. 
She  believed  that  the  doctor's  opinion,  which  she  had 
written  to  her  husband  in  her  last  letter,  no  longer  held 
good.  Now  she  thought  that  it  would  be  the  middle  of 
June  before  the  joy  of  motherhood  would  be  hers. 

As  this  missionary  wife  penned  her  letter  on  that 
Sabbath  evening,  she  felt  that  she  was  writing  to  her 
husband  for  the  last  time.  That  great  pleasure  was  now 

80 


to  be  denied  her,  for  Jason  Lee  would  soon  be  so  far 
en  route  to  the  East  that  letters  could  not  reach  him. 
In  the  meantime,  she  would  endeavor  to  wait  patiently 
for  his  return.16 

The  following  day  Mrs.  Lee  wrote  a  letter  to  her 
little  black-eyed  sister,  Hester  Ann,  then  about  eleven 
years  old.  With  it  she  sent  some  tappa,  which  she  had 
obtained  while  in  the  Sandwich  Islands.  These  were  to 
be  forwarded  to  Rev.  Lee,  and  he  would  deliver  them 
to  her  sister  when  he  reached  his  destination.17 

So  far  as  it  is  known  Mrs.  Lee  enjoyed  no  further 
opportunity  of  writing  to  her  husband.  It  now  remained 
for  her  to  find  comfort  in  the  thought  that  duty  alone 
had  called  him  from  her,  and  to  put  her  trust  in  Divine 
Providence  for  his  safe  return. 

Since  there  are  no  more  letters  to  draw  upon  for  in- 
formation concerning  the  more  intimate  details  of  Mrs. 
Lee's  life  at  the  mission,  one  can  only  make  such  gener- 
alizations as  seem  to  be  fitting.  It  may  be  assumed  that 
she  continued  to  go  about  her  customary  tasks  much  as 
she  had  been  doing  before  her  husband  left.  Due  to  the 
state  of  her  health,  these  duties  were  probably  lessened 
from  time  to  time.  Kind  friends  helped  her  as  much  as 
they  could  and  tried  to  cheer  her  in  her  loneliness. 

Springtime  blossomed  into  summer.  One  full  year 
had  passed  since  Anna  Maria  had  reached  the  Oregon 
country  and  had  begun  her  beloved  work  among  the 
heathen  red  men.  What  a  year  it  had  been!  She  had 
lived  so  much  of  her  life  in  that  one  short  space  of  time. 
She  had  entered  upon  her  missionary  labors  in  her 
chosen  field.  In  the  first  few  weeks  she  had  been  wooed 
and  won  bv  none  other  than  the  mission  superintendent 
himself.  Then  came  the  happy  day  of  her  marriage 
which  gave  her  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  white 

81 


bride  in  all  of  Oregon.  A  honeymoon  followed,  though 
it  was  somewhat  delayed.  Eight  months  of  a  happy 
married  life,  filled  with  multifarious  duties  about  the 
mission,  delighted  the  heart  of  Mrs.  Lee.  Added  to  this 
was  the  lovely  knowledge  of  the  little  life  that  was  to 
be. 

The  beautiful  tranquillity  of  living  is  ofttimes  rudely 
interrupted.  So  it  was  with  Anna  Maria.  Duty  called 
Jason  Lee  to  make  a  trip  to  the  East,  and  our  good 
missionary  was  left  alone.  Bravely  she  tried  to  accept 
their  separation  as  God's  will.  And  now  at  the  close  of 
one  year's  service  for  the  Lord,  we  find  Oregon's  be- 
loved missionary  patiently  awaiting  the  hour  when  she 
would  clasp  her  first-born  in  her  arms  and  realize  the 
supreme  joy  of  motherhood. 


1. — Anna  M.  Lee  to  her  husband,  Mission  House,  April  6,  1838, 
under  date  of  April  7. 

2. — Anna  Maria  Lee  to  her  brother  George,  Mission  House,  Wil- 
lamette,  October  26,    1837. 

3. — Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell,  Oregon,  October 
16,  1934. 

4. — Report  of  Jason  Lee  to  the  Mission  Board  in  a  special  meeting 
of  the  Board  beginning  January  1,  1844,  MS. 

5. — "Address  of  William  Brooks,  A  Native  Indian,"  [at  Bromfield 
Street  Church,  Boston,  January  27,  1839],  Zion's  Herald,  February  13, 
1839,  X,   27. 

6. — Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell,  Oregon,  Octo- 
ber 16,  1934. 

7. — Anna  Maria  Lee  to  her  brother  George,  Mission  House,  Willam- 
ette, October  26,  1837. 

8. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Histori- 
cal Society,   XVII,  413. 

9. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,  259;  "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  Ibid.,  XVII, 
404-405;  and  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the  world  with  a 
history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  29-30. 

10. — "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  His- 
torical Society,   XVII,  413. 

11. — Anna  Maria  Lee  to  her  Mother,  Mission  House,  Willamette, 
March  25,  1838. 

12. — The  original  is  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Quinlan, 
Rockville   Center,   New  York.  A   copy   appears   in   the   "Diary   of  Rev. 

82 


Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XVII,  4l4- 
415,  and  in  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  XIII,  140. 

13. — Jason  Lee  writes  in  his  diary  that  they  parted  on  the  morning 
of  March  25.  Then  a  few  lines  farther  on  he  states  that  he  left  the 
Mission  House  on  March  26,  1838.  The  Mission  Record  Book  sets  the 
date  as  March  26. 

14. — Anna  Maria  \Lee\  to  her  Husband,  Mission  House,  March  28, 
1838. 

15. — Anna  M.  Lee  to  her  Husband,  Mission  House,  April  6,  1838. 

16. — Anna  M.  Lee  to  her  Husband,  Mission  House,  April  14,  1838. 

17. — Anna  Maria  Lee  to  her  Sister,  Mission  House,  April  16,  [1838]. 


83 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE  DARKENING  SHADOW 

THE  MONTH  of  June  was  fast  slipping  away. 
As  the  time  passed  Mrs.  Lee  wondered  where 
her  husband  might  be  as  each  day  took  him  far- 
ther from  her.  More  and  more  she  wished  that  he  could 
be  near  her  now.  At  last  the  long-awaited  hour  arrived, 
when  this  lonely  missionary  wife,  with  the  same  brav- 
ery with  which  she  had  met  other  crises  in  the  past,  went 
down  into  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  Feeling 
ill  on  Thursday  morning,  June  2 1 ,  Mrs.  Lee  summoned 
Dr.  White  to  attend  her.  She  suffered  extremely  for 
several  days;  then  her  condition  became  such  that  the 
attending  physician  was  obliged  to  use  instruments.  Be- 
tween nine  and  ten  o'clock  Saturday  evening,  June  23, 
Mrs.  Lee  gave  birth  to  her  first-born,  much  to  the  re- 
lief of  all  the  anxious  women  present.  The  child  was  a 
fine  boy,  whose  arrival  caused  much  rejoicing  in  the 
mission  household.  Her  mother  heart  was  also  over- 
joyed,  yet  the  longing  for  her  husband's  presence  at  this 
time  cast  a  shadow  over  it. 

From  its  birth  it  was  doubtful  that  the  baby  would 
survive.  The  following  Monday  about  six-thirty  in  the 
evening,  after  a  brief  sojourn  of  scarcely  two  days  on 
earth,  its  little  soul  returned  to  its  Maker.  Up  to  that 
time  everyone,  except  Dr.  White,  who  had  not  been 
without  his  fears,  thought  that  the  mother  would  do 
well.  At  about  the  same  time  that  her  baby  was  called 

84 


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■f*  For  w»  **«g!*s  wWn  wears  weak,  «»4  pi 
^  re  ar«  «bwur :  *»d  this  ai*o  we  wi*l»,  era*  %  1 
>  jour  perlfeeflwou— 3  Cor.  \m,  9.  y 

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f  v»- kt  tite  ibosmj,  «w» fce  heard a**, and 
red   we  from  all  my  fw»r» 


LOVE  FEAST  TICKETS 

Originals  in  possession  of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Quinlan 


from  her,  Mrs.  Lee  developed  unfavorable  symptoms. 
Her  condition  became  rapidly  worse  and  she  suffered 
intensely  during  the  night.  Shortly  before  sunrise  she 
appeared  very  happy  and  exclaimed,  "I  am  going  to 
my  rest."  About  six  o'clock  that  morning  her  spirit  left 
its  earthly  abode  to  join  that  of  her  little  son  in  the 
realms  beyond.1  Anna  Maria,  however,  was  ready  to 
be  called  Home  if  such  was  the  wish  of  her  Heavenly 
Father.  She  had  devoted  herself  ardently  to  His  work 
and  was  resigned  to  death,  if  such  should  be  her  lot. 

One  cannot  help  but  feel  that  Mrs.  Lee  died  a  mar- 
tyr to  her  chosen  calling.  The  life  of  a  pioneer  mission- 
ary in  far-off  Oregon  was  a  hard  one.  Her  duties  and 
responsibilities  were  many,  and  they  proved  to  be  a 
great  drain  upon  her  physical  strength.  For  some  time 
her  health  had  not  been  the  best.  Added  to  this  was  the 
long  separation  from  her  husband,  which  caused  her 
constant  worry  for  his  health  and  safety.  All  these 
things  had  so  sapped  her  vitality  and  that  of  her  little 
child,  that  neither  was  longer  able  to  hold  on  to  life. 
Death  came  and  relieved  them  of  their  struggle,  while 
the  portals  of  Heaven  swung  wide  to  bid  them  welcome. 

This  was  the  first  time  that  the  grim  reaper  had  cast 
its  darkening  shadow  among  the  mission  workers.  It 
was  a  grief-stricken  missionary  group  that  arranged  for 
the  funeral  the  following  day.  The  mission  carpenter 
provided  a  home-made  casket.  The  services  were  held 
at  one  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  June 
27,  1838.2  Rev.  David  Leslie  preached  the  funeral  ser- 
mon.3 In  the  beautiful  fir  grove,  where  scarcely  a  year 
before  Mrs.  Lee  had  taken  her  marriage  vow  on  that 
memorable  Sunday  morning,  she  was  now  laid  to  rest, 
with  her  little  son  clasped  in  her  arms.4  As  she  had  been 
the  first  white  woman  married  in  all  the  Oregon  coun- 

85 


try,  she  was  also  the  first  white  woman  there  whom 
death  had  called,  and  who  had  been  interred  in  all 
that  great  land. 

Adequate  records  about  the  funeral  seem  to  be  lack- 
ing. An  Indian  girl,  who  had  attended  the  services,  de- 
scribed it  many  years  afterward  to  a  daughter  of  one  of 
the  later  missionaries.  She  had  watched  the  four  other 
white  women  at  the  mission,  bowed  with  grief  and 
weeping,  tenderly  prepare  their  departed  sister  and  her 
new-born  babe  for  the  grave.  She  had  seen  the  earth  re- 
claim its  own  as  she  stood  with  the  little  group  of  mis- 
sion workers  while  one  of  their  number  was  solemnly 
laid  away.  Never  before  had  this  Indian  girl  witnessed 
a  Christian  burial.  The  sorrowful  scene  made  a  lasting 
impression  upon  her  mind.5 

Arrangements  were  made  at  once  for  sending  the  sad 
news  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Lee  and  her  baby  boy  to  the 
bereaved  father.  Through  the  kindness  of  James  Doug- 
las, the  acting  chief  factor  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Com- 
pany, an  express  was  sent  immediately  from  Fort  Van- 
couver to  overtake  Jason  Lee  on  his  journey  east.6 

A  stop  was  made  at  the  Wascopum  Mission  to  de- 
liver a  letter  from  Mrs.  White  in  which  she  informed 
the  family  of  Rev.  H.  K.  W.  Perkins,  and  Rev.  Daniel 
Lee,  who  were  stationed  there,  of  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Lee  and  her  babe.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence, 
Mrs.  Perkins,  who  had  come  with  Anna  Maria  to  Ore- 
gon, immediately  wrote  a  letter  of  sympathy  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman,  the  bereaved  parents. 
Mrs.  Perkins  assured  them  that  she  had  never  seen 
their  daughter  "in  so  happy  a  state  of  mind"  as  she  had 
been  before  the  former  left  for  the  Wascopum  station. 
At  that  time  "she  [Anna  Maria]  seemed  perfectly  re- 
signed to  the  will  of  God  and  ripen<?mng  for  heaven."7 

86 


The  express  reached  Rev.  H.  H.  Spalding,  an  Amer- 
ican Board  missionary,  at  Clearwater  on  July  9.  He  was 
strongly  urged  by  the  friends  of  the  mission  to  forward 
the  dispatches  without  delay  with  the  hope  of  overtak- 
ing Jason  Lee  at  the  yearly  rendezvous  in  the  Green 
River  country  of  southwestern  Wyoming.  Six  Indians 
from  Rev.  Spalding's  mission  were  selected  to  under- 
take a  speedy  and  hazardous  journey  to  Fort  Hall. 
Their  route  lay  through  the  dangerous  Blackfoot  coun- 
try, but  the  missionary  leader  trusted  in  a  kind  Provi- 
dence to  guide  them  safely  to  their  destination.  It  was 
feared  that  Rev.  Lee  had  already  left  the  rendezvous. 
But  a  request  was  made  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company,  stationed  at  Fort  Hall,  or  to  Wil- 
liam H.  Gray,  if  he  chanced  to  be  in  that  region,  to 
spare  no  pains  in  forwarding  the  message  to  the  be- 
reaved husband.8 

A  journey  of  sixteen  days  brought  the  Indian  mes- 
sengers to  Fort  Hall  on  the  26th  of  July.  The  next 
morning,  Mr.  Gray,  who  was  returning  to  the  Whit- 
man Mission  after  a  trip  made  to  the  States  for  re- 
enforcements,  arrived  at  the  same  place.  Here  he  met 
the  Nez  Perce'  message-bearers.  From  them  he  received 
a  letter  from  Rev.  Spalding,  who  advised  him  to  spare 
no  expense  in  sending  the  heart-rending  news  to  Rev. 
Lee  with  all  possible  haste. 

Some  difficulty  seems  to  have  been  experienced  in 
getting  someone  to  carry  the  express  from  that  inland 
post.  No  one  would  take  it  for  less  than  five  dollars  a 
day.9  Mr.  Gray  was  finally  able  to  employ  Paul  Rich- 
ardson, a  young  man  whom  he  had  engaged  as  a  hunter 
and  guide  for  his  party  from  Westport,  Missouri,  to 
take  the  package  of  letters  and  deliver  them  to  Mr.  Lee 
wherever  he  should  overtake  him.  Before  he  left,  Mr. 

87 


Gray  gave  him  a  draft  on  Mr.  Henry  Hill,  treasurer 
of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions,  for  two  hundred  fifty  dollars  as  payment  for 
carrying  the  express  to  St.  Louis.  This  sum  of  money 
was  to  be  refunded  to  the  Board,  either  by  Mr.  Lee  or 
the  Methodist  Board,  and  charged  to  the  Willamette 
Mission.  While  that  sum  of  money  might  seem  to  be 
rather  excessive  for  carrying  a  small  package  of  letters 
from  Fort  Hall  to  its  destination,  yet  it  must  be  re- 
membered that  the  man  who  took  it  risked  his  life  on 
such  a  trip.10 

On  July  30,  Mr.  Richardson,  accompanied  by  Mr. 
E.  G.  Curtis,  started  on  with  the  express.11  The  journey 
was  not  without  its  dangers.  In  the  Rocky  Mountains 
the  messengers  almost  lost  their  life.  A  band  of  hostile 
Indians  surrounded  them,  and  seized  the  bridles  of  their 
horses,  at  the  same  time  attempting  to  make  prisoners 
of  the  riders.  The  Indians  were  unsuccessful,  for  the 
two  men  put  up  a  good  resistance  and  finally  succeeded 
in  breaking  their  way  through  their  assailants. 

The  Indians  discharged  upon  them  a  shower  of  ar- 
rows as  they  sped  away,  but  none  injured  them.  For- 
tunate as  they  were  in  escaping  with  their  life,  they 
nevertheless  experienced  a  most  serious  loss.  The  In- 
dians had  been  successful  in  capturing  their  pack-horses 
which  carried  all  their  provisions.  Consequently,  they 
had  to  go  without  food  for  the  next  five  days.  Although 
game  abounded  along  their  route,  they  did  not  dare  to 
shoot  any  for  fear  of  the  alarm  which  the  discharge  of 
their  guns  might  occasion.  This  fortunate  escape  was 
later  commented  upon  as  follows: 

"It  was  a  wonderful  preservation,  and  one  of  the  men  who  had 
been  skeptical  in  religion,  told  Mr.  Lee  that  he  could  no  longer 
be  an  unbeliever,  for  Providence  had  most  manifestly  preserved 

88 


his  life,  either  for  his  own  sake,  or  for  the  sake  of  the  tidings  of 
which  he  was  the  bearer."12 

A  little  more  than  two  months  from  the  time  that 
the  express  had  been  dispatched  from  Fort  Vancouver, 
it  overtook  Jason  Lee  near  Westport  on  the  Missouri 
frontier.13  Rev.  Lee  had  arrived  at  the  Shawnee  Mis- 
sion five  miles  south  of  there  on  September  5,  1838, 
and  was  spending  a  few  days  with  Rev.  T.  Johnson, 
who  was  in  charge.  Here  the  message-bearers  found 
him  and  delivered  the  package  of  letters.14  The  receipt 
of  the  sad  news  may  best  be  told  in  Jason  Lee's  own 
words. 

".  .  .  Having  made  preparations  to  depart  on  the  morrow  I 
lay  down  on  the  night  of  the  7th  [September]  grateful  to  God 
for  bringing  me  safely  through  the  dangerous  part  of  my  jour- 
ney, and  cheerful  and  happy  in  the  reflection  that  I  was  a  be- 
loved husband  and  an  affectionate  father — that  there  appertained 
to  me  in  far-off  Oregon  a  beloved  wife,  who  was  daily  offering 
fervent  supplications  to  the  throne  of  grace  in  my  behalf,  and  a 
smiling  babe,  both  of  whom  I  could  call  my  own.  But,  alas! 
alas!  we  know  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  At  one  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  8th  Sept.  I  was  awaked  from  a  sweet 
slumber  to  receive  the  sad  intelligence,  and  know,  and  feel,  more 
sensibly  than  it  is  in  the  power  of  human  language  to  portray, 
that  I  was  a  lonely  widower,  and  a  bereaved  father.  But  I  must 
not  trouble  you  or  your  readers  with  my  sorrows.  I  cannot, 
however,  refrain  from  saying  that  never  did  I  more  sensibly  feel 
my  need  of  divine  aid  than  in  that  trying  hour;  and  thanks  be 
to  the  Author  of  that  grace  which  called  me  to  say,  'The  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord/  j    I' 

"June  26th  her  triumphant  spirit  took  its  flight  to  the  regions 
of  light  and  joy,  and  on  the  following  day  her  clay-cold  tena- 
ment  with  that  of  her  infant  son  pillowed  in  her  bosom,  was 
deposited  in  the  dark  and  narrow  house,  where  it  now  lies  moul- 
dering beneath  the  first  sod  that  was  ever  broken  in  Oregon  for 
the  reception  of  the  remains  of  a  missionary  of  the  cross,  of  a 
white  female,  or  a  white  child.  May  Heaven  grant  that  the  en- 

89 


trance  of  her  happy  spirit  from  Oregon  to  the  regions  of  bliss 
may  be  but  the  prelude  of  thousands  who  may  ere  long  folow 
her  from  that  clime  to  the  bright  abodes  of  the  blessed."15 

Jason  Lee  was  a  very  sad  and  grief-stricken  mission- 
ary as  he  continued  his  weary  journey  across  the  con- 
tinent. Duty  called  and  he  must  fulfill  it,  despite  his 
overwhelming  grief.  Rev.  Lee  stopped  at  many  places 
en  route  to  arouse  interest  in  the  Oregon  Mission. 
While  in  Illinois  he  met  Rev.  Spaulding.  He  told  him 
about  his  great  loss. 

The  latter  returned  to  New  York  before  Jason  Lee 
reached  there.  He  at  once  informed  Nathan  Bangs,  the 
corresponding  secretary  of  the  Methodist  Missionary 
Society,  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Lee.  Upon  learning  the 
sad  news,  Dr.  Bangs  immediately  communicated  it  by 
letter  to  Mrs.  Lee's  bereaved  parents.16  The  letter  was 
written  October  9,  1838,  and  contained  the  first  news 
they  received  of  their  daughter's  death  which  had  oc- 
curred about  three  and  one-half  months  before.  The 
aged  parents,  now  bowed  down  with  grief,  could  only 
await  the  arrival  of  Jason  Lee  to  learn  from  him  more 
of  the  particulars  concerning  the  death  of  their  oldest 
child. 

Not  long  after  the  mission  superintendent  arrived  in 
the  East,  the  first  step  was  taken  to  perpetuate  the  name 
of  his  dear,  departed  wife.  It  was  done  in  a  way  which 
would  have  been  most  pleasing  to  Anna  Maria  herself. 
Rev.  Lee  held  many  missionary  meetings  throughout 
the  East.  He  held  one  at  Marlborough,  New  York,  on 
the  New  Palz  circuit,  on  the  evening  of  November  4, 
1838.  Here  he  received  a  total  of  thirty  dollars  in  the 
collection  and  in  subscriptions.  This  money  was  to  be 
used  to  educate  an  Indian  girl  in  the  Oregon  Mission. 


90 


She  was  to  be  given  the  name  of  Ann  [a]  Maria  Pitt- 
man  in  memory  of  Jason  Lee's  deceased  wife.17 

It  had  been  customary  to  give  the  name  of  some 
prominent  person  in  the  Methodist  Church  to  the  little 
Indian  boys  and  girls  who  came  within  the  mission  fold. 
To  have  another  heathen  child  brought  in  and  educated 
to  live  a  Christian  life,  and  at  the  same  time  to  be  given 
her  name,  would  have  been  to  Anna  Maria  sufficient 
reward  for  her  great  sacrifice.  No  records  appear  to 
have  been  left  concerning  the  career  of  this  Indian  girl. 
Let  us  hope,  however,  that  she  grew  up  to  be  a  worthy 
namesake  of  such  a  devoted  missionary. 

Others  in  far-off  Oregon  at  the  same  time  were  seek- 
ing to  perpetuate  the  beloved  missionary's  name.  That 
same  autumn  a  daughter  came  to  gladden  the  hearts  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cyrus  Shepard  of  the  Willamette  Mis- 
sion. She  was  named  Anna  Maria  Lee18  for  the  de- 
parted co-worker  of  her  parents. 

In  order  that  his  wife's  resting  place  might  be  suit- 
ably marked,  Jason  Lee  had  a  tombstone  prepared  for 
it,  while  in  the  East.  This  he  took  with  him  when  he 
returned  to  Oregon  the  following  fall.19  It  was  a  white 
marble  slab.  Though  now  somewhat  weather-worn,  its 
lengthy  inscription  may  still  be  read.20 


91 


BENEATH  THIS  SOD 

the  first  ever  broken  in  Oregon 

for  the  reception  of 

a  white  mother  and  child, 

lie  the  remains 

of 

ANNA  MARIA  PITTMAN 

wife  of 

Rev.  JASON  LEE, 

with  her  infant  son. 

She  sailed  from  New  York,  July  1836, 

landed  in  OREGON  June  1837, 

was  married  July  1 6, 

and  died 

June  26,  1838, 

aged  35  years, 

in  the  full  enjoyment  of  that  love 

which  constrained  her  to  leave  all 

for  CHRIST  and 

heathen  souls. 


Lo!  we  have  left  ally 

and 

followed  thee; 

What  shall  we  have  therefore? 

Matt.  19,  27. 

Some  years  later  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Lee  and  her 
infant  son,  together  with  the  original  tombstone,  were 
removed  to  Salem,  Oregon,  where  they  now  rest  in  the 
missionary  plot  of  the  Lee  Mission  Cemetery.  There 
Oregon's  beloved  missionary  sleeps  until  her  Savior  bids 
her  rise  on  the  resurrection  morn. 

92 


1. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XXIII,  259-260,  and  "Mrs.  Narcissa  Whitman  to 
Mary  Ann,  [her  sister],  Wieletpoo,  Walla  Walla  River,  Oregon  Terri- 
tory, September  28,  1838,"  Transactions  of  the  nineteenth  annual  re- 
union of  the  Oregon  Pioneer  Association  for  1891,  p.  110.  Mrs.  Lee  had 
contemplated  accompanying  Dr.  and  Mrs.  White  on  a  visit  to  the  Whit- 
man Mission  that  same  fall.  Ibid. 

2. — "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  His- 
torical Society,  XXIII,  260. 

3. — Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  154. 

4. — Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  93;  Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon,  I, 
70;  and  "Daniel  Lee  to  Sister  Petherman,  Caldwell,  Kansas,  July  15, 
1891,"  Pacific  Christian  Advocate,  September  16,  1891,  p.  1. 

5. — Mrs.  W.  H.  Odell,  A  semi-centennial  offering  to  the  members  and 
friends  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Salem,  Oregon,  88.  See  also 
John  M.  Canse,  Pilgrim  and  pioneer,   151. 

6. — Most  accounts  credit  Dr.  McLoughlin  with  sending  out  the  ex- 
press from  Fort  Vancouver.  Since  he  had  departed  on  a  trip  to  England 
even  before  Jason  Lee  arrived  at  the  fort  the  preceding  March,  it  must 
have  been  the  gentleman  left  in  charge  there  who  started  the  sad  news  on 
its  way.  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the  world  with  a  history 
of  the  Oregon  Mission,  31-32;  Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  153; 
and  H.  H.  Spalding  to  Rev.  David  Greene,  Clearwater,  July  10,  1838. 

7. — Elvira  Perkins  to  Mr.  George  Pittman  and  wife,  Wascopum,  Col- 
umbia River,  July  5th,  1838. 

8. — H.  H.  Spalding  to  Rev.  David  Greene,  Clearwater,  July  10,  1838. 

9. — "Journal  of  Myra  F.  Eells,"  Transactions  of  the  Oregon  Pioneer 
Association  for  1889,  p.  83. 

10.— W.  H.  Gray  to  Rev.  David  Greene,  Fort  Hall,  July  30,  1838. 
In  his  book  Mr.  Gray  states  that  he  engaged  Mr.  Richardson  for  one 
hundred  fifty  dollars,  which  was  later  paid  him  by  Mr.  Lee.  W.  H.  Gray, 
A  history  of  Oregon,  1792-1849,  p.  182.  I  have  been  unable  to  find  any 
correspondence  with  the  treasurer  of  the  Board  regarding  the  draft  for 
$250  given  Mr.  Richardson.  However,  there  is  still  in  existence  a  note 
written  to  the  treasurer  regarding  a  draft  for  one  hundred  dollars  in 
payment  for  Mr.  Richardson's  services  as  a  hunter,  which  is  mentioned  in 
the  same  letter.  William  H.  Gray  to  Henry  Hills,  Esqre,  Fort  Hall,  July 
30,  1838  [regarding  draft  in  favor  of  Paul  Richardson].  Since  Gray's 
book  was  published  many  years  later,  I  consider  the  amount  stated  in  his 
letter,  which  was  written  at  the  time,  the  more  authentic. 

11. — "Journal  of  Myra  F.  Eells,"  Transactions  of  the  Oregon  Pioneer 
Association  for  1889,  p.  83.  Mrs.  Eells  and  her  husband,  Rev.  Cushing 
C.  Eells,  were  members  of  Gray's  party.  Mr.  Gray  makes  no  mention, 
either  in  his  letter  or  his  book,  of  Mr.  Curtis  accompanying  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson, but  leads  one  to  believe  that  the  latter  went  alone.  However,  on 
the  very  day  of  their  departure  he  gave  Mr.  Curtis  a  draft  drawn  in  his 
favor  on  the  treasurer  of  the  Mission  Board  for  seventy-five  dollars.  This 
would  indicate  that  Mr.  Curtis  went  along,  as  he  undoubtedly  did. 
William  H.  Gray  to  Henry  Hill,  Esq.,  Fort  Hall,  July  30,  1838,  [re- 
garding draft  in  favor  of  E.  G.  Curtis] . 

93 


12. — Extract!  from  "Peori  [Peoria,  Illinois]  Register  and  Northwestern 
Gazetteer,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  November  16,  1838,  XIII, 
49.  This  account  also  bears  out  the  fact  that  two  men  constituted  the 
express,  as  this  information  was  obtained  from  Mr.  Lee  when  he  stopped 
at  Peoria. 

13. — Now  included  within  the  present  limits  of  Kansas  City.  It  was 
originally  platted  as  a  town  by  John  C.  McCoy  in  1833.  It  became  the 
starting  point  for  some  of  the  overland  trips,  taking  some  of  the  trade 
from  Independence,  Missouri.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1857  and 
consolidated  with  Kansas  City  in  1899.  Howard  L.  Conrad,  (editor), 
Encyclopedia  of  the  History  of  Missouri,  VI,  449-450. 

14. — W.  H.  Gray  states  that  Mr.  Lee  paid  the  messenger  for  bringing 
him  the  news.  After  Rev.  Lee  reached  New  York  City  the  Mission  Board 
authorized  its  treasurer  "to  allow  the  expense  attending  the  express  which 
crossed  the  Mountains  with  the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Lee." 
No  specific  amount  to  be  allowed  is  mentioned,  nor  does  the  treasurer's 
report  specify  any  certain  sum  paid  to  Jason  Lee  for  that  purpose,  though 
mention  is  made  of  money  paid  to  him.  Gray,  A  history  of  Oregon,  182; 
Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  152; 
and  Twentieth  annual  report  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  Treasurer's  account,  33. 

15. — "Letter  of  Jason  Lee,"  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  Novem- 
ber 23,  1838,  XIII,  54. 

16. — N.  Bangs  to  Bro.  and  Sister  Pitman,  New  York,  Oct.  9,  1838. 

17. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  November  16,  1838,  XIII,   50. 

18. — Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon,  I,  179,  note  27,  and  remarks  of 
Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler,  a  daughter  of  this  namesake,  now  residing  at 
Creswell,  Oregon. 

19. — Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  October  25,  1839,  XIV,  40. 

20. — The  date  of  landing  in  Oregon  is  incorrect,  since  Mrs.  Lee 
arrived  at  Fort  Vancouver,  May  17,  1837.  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  My 
dear  Sisters  and  Brothers,  May  11,  1837,  under  date  of  Thursday,  May 
18.  She  arrived  at  the  Willamette  Mission  on  May  27.  "Oregon  Mission 
Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XXIII, 
255. 


94 


appendices 


LETTERS 


Editor's  Note.  Unless  otherwise  indicated,  the  original  manuscripts 
of  all  the  material  in  the  appendices  are  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Ger- 
trude Quinlan,  Rockville  Center,  New  York. 

The  spacing  is  to  insure  clearness  and  ease  in  reading.  Brackets  have 
been  used  to  make  corrections  or  to  supply  missing  words  or  letters 
which  have  been  torn  out,  usually  by  sealing  wax,  in  the  letters  them- 
selves. 

95 


I 

Ann  M.  Pittman  to  Her  Mother 

Dear  Mama  Tro^  November  th  19,  1813 

I  now  set  down  to  inform  you  that  we  are  well —  I 
received  your  kind  and  affectionate  letter  on  Saturday 
last  and  was  very  glad  to  hear  from  you —  I  was  very 
glad  to  hear  that  we  were  going  to  stay  at  Miss  Hulls1 
till  next  spring  but  I  hope  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you  here  this  winter —  I  hope  Mama  will  em- 
brace the  first  opportunity  to  send  up  our  beaver  hats 
for  winter.  I  should  like  to  learn  to  play  on  the  Forte 
Piano —  while  I  am  here —  I  should  like  to  come  home 
very  much  but  when  I  come  to  think  it  is  for  my 
good—-  I  am  willing  to  stay  as  long  as  my  Dear  Parents 
please  to  have  me.  Please  to  tell  Grand  Papa  I  will 
write  to  him  very  soon —  Please  to  give  my  love  to  all 
inquiring  friends —  I  remain  your  ever  affectionate 
Daughter —  Ann  M.  Pittman 

Mary  Pittman — . 

1. — Miss  Hull  seems  to  have  conducted  a  private  boarding  school  in 
Troy,  New  York,  from  May  10,  1813,  to  sometime  in  the  fall  of  1814. 
The  institution  was  housed  in  a  dwelling  on  Ferry  Street.  Twenty-five 
dollars  per  quarter  was  charged  for  board  and  five  dollars  for  instruc- 
tion. Troy  Post,  April  27,  1813;  November  23,  1813;  April  12,  1814; 
June  21,  1814;  November  14,  1814;  and  December  20,  1814. 

The  following  bill  for  the  fall  quarter  at  Miss  Hull's  school  is  of 
interest: 

Board  &  tuition  by  Daughters   $70.00 

Washing    . .  .  : 6.00 

Quills   .121/2     Geography   .75    88 

Spelling  book  .38     Needles  .08     paper  .18 64 

Coach  hire  .90    sash  .27    Quills  .06  1.23 

Extra  expenses  .25 25 

$79.00 
Cr— by  cash  30.00 

Laban  Clark  to  George   W. 
Pittman,  Troy,   [New  York],  December 24,  1813.  $49.00 

97 


II 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Brother y 
George  W.  Pittman 

New  York  April  19,  1834 
Dear  Brother1 

Language  is  inadequate  to  express  the  joy  felt  on  the 
reception  of  your  interesting  letter  -y  Though  time  and 
distance  seperate  us  though  Mountains  rise  and  Oceans 
roll  between  us  yet  we  can  communicate  to  each  other 
our  ideas  by  Penmanship,  what  a  satisfaction  it  is  to 
absent  friends  to  receive  from  the  hand  of  those  they 
love  (and  whom  they  are  linked  together  by  the 
strongest  ties)  tidings  that  it  is  well  with  them,  how 
does  it  cheer  the  heart  of  a  parent  and  revive  their 
drooping  spirits.  Great  reason  have  you  to  be  thankful 
to  Him  who  has  preserved  you  while  in  the  slippery 
paths  of  youth  and  led  you  up  to  man,  surely  it  is  by 
the  power  of  Him  who  "neither  slumbers  or  sleep" 
that  you  have  been  saved  through  dangers  seen  and 
unseen,  truly  you  are  in  an  enemys  land  you  seem  to 
have  many  outward  foes  to  contend  with,  but  I  would 
caution  you  to  beware  of  him  who  goes  "about  as  a 
roaring  lion  seeking  whom  he  may  devour,"2  I  would 
beseech  you  to  flee  unto  Christ  for  refuge  whom  you 
will  find  to  be  a  stronghold,  a  sheild  and  hiding  place 
in  the  hour  of  danger  and  trouble,  it  gives  me  pleasure 
to  hear  you  peruse  the  sac  [red]  pages,  continue  to  do  it. 
make  it  the  man  of  your  counsel  you  will  experience 
it  to  be  a  sure  unerring  guide  "a  lamp  unto  your  feet 
and  a  light  unto  your  path."3 

John  Johnson  has  died  this  week  of  consumption; 
Sarah  Spies  is  married,  J.  Bowden  has  gone  on  board  of 
the  States  vessel.  Aunt  Julia  has  another  daughter. 

98 


You  see  my  paper  will  not  admit  of  my  writing  any 
more  news,  Have  you  reed  ours  dated  March.  If  you 
should  come  across  the  Missionaries4  you  must  get  ac- 
quainted with  them.  Ann  Maria. 

An  Acrostic 

Go  my  dear  Brother  seek  the  Lord 
Even  now  in  youth  obey  his  word 
O  go  and  render  him  your  heart 
Remember  God  from  sin  depart. 
Go  seek  him  while  he  may  be  found 
Ere  you  shall  sleep  beneath  the  ground 

Why  not  my  Brother  seek  him  now 

And  learn  of  God  and  humbly  bow. 

Such  is  the  prayer  of  her  who  writes 

Her  heart  would  beat  with  great  deligh[t] 

Improve  each  moment  as  it  flies 

Now  while  in  youth  seek  to  be  wise. 

Guided  by  wisdom  from  above 

To  seek  a  saviours  pardoning  love 

O  may  you  seek  until  you  find 

New  joys  bright  hopes  and  peace  of  mind. 

Perhaps  on  earth  we  may  not  meet 
In  Heaven  oh  let  us  find  a  seat 
There  on  that  peaceful  happy  shore 
There  may  we  meet  to  part  no  more 
My  Brother  may  kind  Heaven  bless 
And  save  you  when  fierce  dangers  press. 
Now  since  you  know  my  hearts  desire 

Forget  me  not,  yours.  ann  maria. 


Editor's  Note.  The  original  manuscript  is  in  the  Oregon  Historical 
Society  Library. 

1. — George  W.  Pittman,  a  brother,  who  was  then  with  the  United 
States  Dragoons  stationed  at  Fort  Gibson,  Arkansas  Territory.  He  was 
born  January  27,  1812,  and  died  in  Oregon  in  1890.  See  note  3  of  the 
following  letter. 

2. — Be  sober,  be  vigilant;  because  your  adversary,  the  Devil,  as  a  roar- 
ing lion,  walketh  about,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour.  /  Peter  5:8. 

99 


3. — Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  light  unto  my  path. 
Psalms  115:105. 

4. — The  missionaries  referred  to  are  Rev.  Jason  Lee  of  Stanstead, 
Lower  Canada,  Rev.  Daniel  Lee,  Cyrus  Shepard,  P.  L.  Edwards  (lay 
member),  and  C.  M.  Walker  (non-professor),  both  the  latter  of  Rich- 
mond, Missouri,  who  were  sent  out  by  the  Missionary  Board  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  to  establish  a  mission  among  the  Flathead 
Indians.  See  Chapter  I. 


100 


Ill 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Brother  y 
George  W.  Pittman 

New  York  June  9th  1836 

My  Dear  Brother 

I  have  taken  my  pen  in  hand  to  address  you  for  the 
last  time.  The  time  is  drawing  nigh  when  I  must  bid  a 
long  farewell  to  all  I  love.  I  quit  the  scenes  of  my 
youth,  the  land  of  my  birth,  and  in  a  far  and  distant 
land  among  strangers  I  expect  to  dwell.  Soon  the  roll- 
ing billows  of  the  tempesteous  Ocean,  and  the  towering 
mountains  rugged  steep,  will  intervene  between  us,  and 
perhaps  we  see  each  others  face  no  more,  and  while 
thus  seperated,  it  remains  with  you  to  say  whether  it 
shall  be  an  eternal  separation.  You  know  my  dear 
Brother  without  a  preparation  for  death,  we  cannot  ex- 
pect to  meet  our  friends  who  have  died  in  the  Lord.  I 
fear  you  are  destitute  of  that  preparation;  and  can  you 
for  a  moment  endure  the  thought  of  bidding  a  final 
farewell  to  those  whom  you  loved  on  earth,  oh  no,  the 
thought  pains  my  heart.  In  the  great  day  of  account 
we  will  meet  to  part  no  more,  or  part  to  meet  no  more 
forever.  Then  dear  George  while  I  bid  you  adieu,  let  it 
be  with  the  hope  of  meeting  again  where  farewell  is  a 
sound  unknown,,  where  time,  noCrl  distance  cannot 
seperate  us,  but  forever  enjoy  each  others  society.  I 
have  often  written  to  you  on  the  subject  of  Religion,  I 
fear  it  has  had  no  effect  on  you,  although  it  has  been 
accompanied  with  prayers,  and  Tears  as  this  is.  I  en- 
treat you  my  dear  Brother,  if  you  have  seen  anything 
in  me  not  corresponding  with  the  Christian  character, 
not  to  impute  it  to  Religion,  but  to  a  want  of  more  in 

101 


me.  and  if  you  are  so  happy  as  to  become  a  child  of 
God,  I  hope  you  will  profit  by  my  infirmities. 

As  the  hour  approaches  for  my  departure,  I  still  re- 
main firm  and  undaunted  j  I  have  nothing  to  fear,  God 
had  promised  to  be  with  me  even  to  the  end  of  the 
world.  Dear  brother  farewell.  May  Heaven  bless  you, 
and  oh  remember  your  Sister  who  goes  not  to  seek  the 
honours  and  pleasures  of  the  world,  but  lays  her  life  a 
willing  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  God. 

Well  knowing  my  Saviour  resides  everywhere 
And  can  in  all  places  give  answer  to  prayer. 

Accept  this  as  a  tribute  of  a  Sisters  love,  who  ever 
will  remain  in  the  bonds  of  affection  and  ties  of  nature 
your  Sister 

[Signature  has  been  cut  out! 

[On  the  reverse  side] 

In  the  Ship  Hamilton  we  leave  Boston  the  1st  July. 
The  mission  family  will  be  in  this  city  the  20.  June 
when  a  farewell  missionary  meeting  will  be  held  we 
will  leave  sometime  that  week.  The  number  is  nine1 
5  are  females  three  are  married.  The  family  are  very 
anxious  to  hear  from  you.  you  have  not  answered  Erne- 
lines2  letter. — — 

Mr.  Geo.  W.  Pittman3 

Care  of  Mr.  Amos  Salisbury 
Troy 
N.  Y. 


Editor's  Note.  The  original  manuscript  is  in  the  Oregon  Historical 
Society  Library. 

1. — There  were  eight  adults  and  five  children  in  the  party  that  went. 
Of  the  five  women  who  accompanied  the  first  reenforcement,  only  two 
were  married.  They  were  Mrs.  White  and  Mrs.  Beers.  The  three  unmar- 
ried ones  were  Miss  Anna  Maria  Pittman,  Miss  Susan  Downing,  the 
affianced  of  Cyrus  Shepard  who  had  accompanied  Rev.  Jason  Lee,  and 

102 


Miss  Elvira  Johnson,  who  later  married  Rev.  H.  K.  W.  Perkins.  Rev. 
Perkins  went  to  Oregon  with  the  second  reenforcement. 

2. — Refers  to  Harriet  Emeline  Pittman,  a  younger  sister,  born  January 
6,  1814.  She  later  married  Mr.  J.  (?)  Frisbee. 

3. — This  brother  was  probably  employed  in  the  ropewalk  of  Mr.  Amos 
Salisbury  at  Troy,  New  York,  at  the  time.  His  father,  George  W.  Pitt- 
man,  was  employed  there  two  years  previously  (1834)  and  stayed  at  Mr. 
Salisbury's  home.  His  son  had  evidently  written  him  asking  him  to  ob- 
tain work  for  him  in  the  same  ropewalk.  In  a  letter  to  the  son,  the  father 
states  that  Mr.  Salisbury  may  be  able  to  employ  him  in  about  two  weeks. 
George  W.  Pittman  to  George  Pittman  [his  son],  Troy,  [New  York], 
July  8,  1834. 

George  W.  Pittman,  the  addressee  of  this  letter  and  brother  of  Anna 
Maria,  went  to  Oregon  from  Brooklyn,  New  York,  in  1889,  just  after 
the  death  of  his  wife.  His  daughter,  Mary  Louise,  (now  Mrs.  Jones, 
residing  in  Newberg,  Oregon)  accompanied  him.  He  died  early  in  1890. 
Another  daughter,  Julia  Anna,  died  in  Portland,  Oregon,  in  1914.  Mrs. 
Fred  Anderson  to  the  writer,  Mitchell,  Oregon,  July  16,  1930. 

A  son,  Edgar  Driggs  Pittman,  came  to  Oregon  from  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  and  became  superintendent  of  the  cordage  mill  of  S.  M.  Meares 
of  Portland.  He  died  in  1906.  He  donated  to  the  Oregon  Historical  So- 
ciety this  letter,  the  one  preceding,  addressed  to  George  W.  Pittman, 
Fort  Gibson,  Arkansas  Territory,  and  a  third  letter  to  the  same  addressee, 
dated  Williamsburg,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  March  15,  1831,  which  is 
missing  from  its  files.  He  also  presented  to  the  Society  a  portrait  of 
Anna  Maria  Pittman,  which  can  be  seen  in  the  Society's  rooms  in  Port- 
land. An  excerpt  from  the  missing  letter  appears  in  The  Quarterly  of 
the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  VII,  223-224,  and  alludes  to  the  portrait 
as  follows:  "I  had  my  portrait  painted  at  my  own  expense;  some  say  it 
is  good,  others  say  not;  but  there  is  always  a  diversity  of  opinion  on 
such  subjects.  When  you  see  it  you  may  judge  for  yourself.  It  wants  a 
handsome  frame  on  it.  May  I  ask  you  for  it?  It  can  be,  procured  for  7$. 
It  is  to  be  left  at  home,  that  you  may  sometimes  think  of  me."  Refer- 
ence is  made  in  the  letter  to  the  contemplated  voyage  to  Oregon,  but 
passage  had  not  yet  been  secured. 


103 


IV 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Mother 

Boston  July  12,  1836 
My  Dear  Mother: 

I  have  retired  to  my  room  this  morning  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  writing  to  you.  After  a  pleasant  pas- 
sage from  New  York  We  arrived  at  this  place  about  4 
o'clock  on  Saturday  afternoon,  all  the  females  on  board 
the  Steam  Boat  were  more  or  less  sick  owing  to  the 
motion  of  the  Boat  while  at  anchor,  in  consequence  of 
the  fog.  I  was  not  much  sick.  We  spent  the  evening  on 
deck.  Miss  Johnson1  and  I  amused  ourselves  in  singing 
some  of  the  songs  of  Zion  j  a  gentleman  who  stood  near 
us  attentively  listening  observed  to  us  that  our  voices 
were  "enough  to  convert  the  heart  of  an  Infidel."  We 
spent  a  few  moments  pleasantly  in  his  company,  the 
next  morning  he  enquired  of  some  one  who  we  was.  He 
seemed  to  take  quite  an  interest  in  us. 

What  I  have  seen  of  Boston  I  do  not  like  as  well  as 
N.  Y.  the  houses  are  high,  streets  narrow  and  crooked. 
Our  boarding  house  is  first  rate  everything  is  conducted 
in  order,  family  prayer  is  observed  and  its  inmates  con- 
form to  the  rules.  We  have  everything  here  to  make 
us  comfortable,  in  fact  everything  conspires  to  make  us 
happy.  We  have  been  introduced  to  a  great  many  espe- 
cially those  who  are  the  friends  of  missions,  we  have 
seen  two  gentlemen  one  who  has  resided  at  the  sand- 
wich Islands  as  a  Physician,  the  other  is  one  that  has 
been  out  in  the  Oregon  country  has  seen  Mr.  Lee's, 
attended  the  schools  there  established.  He  says  it  is  a 
fine  country,  even  better  than  this.  As  it  respects  my 
Companions  I  am  delighted  with  them.  Mr.  Wilson2  is 
an  excellent  young  man.  It  is  uncertain  whether  he 

104 


takes  his  intended  wife  with  him.  I  think  not  however 
as  some  of  her  friends  are  sick,  she  probably  will  come 
out  in  the  fall.  I  have  seen  the  young  lady  who  goes 
out  as  Mr.  Shepherd's  intended.3  she  is  a  fine  girl, 
about  my  age.  There  is  some  prospect  of  our  having  a 
Missionary  to  go  with  us.4  Dr.  Bangs5  has  made  every 
necessary  arrangement  four  our  convenience  and  com- 
fort He  has  placed  Dr.  White6  over  us  as  our  Father.7 
of  course  we  call  Mrs.  White  Mother,  she  does  not  like 
the  name,  and  says  I  must  be  ordained  after  we  get  to 
Oregon  so  they  may  call  me  Mother.  Do  you  know 
what  it  means?8  Yesterday  we  went  on  board  the  Ship. 
I  wish  Father  had  been  with  us.  he  took  a  walk  out, 
when  he  went,  we  did  not  know  that  we  was  going.  It  is 
a  noble  Ship,  her  deck  is  very  long,  quite  a  promenade 
The  Cabin  is  in  the  middle  of  the  Ship,  six  large  state 
rooms  in  it,  3  of  them  have  two  commodious  berths  in 
them,  designed  for  families,  everything  is  provided  for 
us  but  beds,  even  a  wash  bowl  pitcher  and  privy,  in  each 
room,  and  about  two  gallons  of  water  a  day.  one  of  the 
owners  was  on  board,  he  is  a  real  gentlemen,  the  Ship 
is  two  or  three  years  old  and  one  of  the  best  that  sails 
on  the  ocean,  the  Captain9  bears  an  excellent  character. 
It  is  thought  best  for  us  each  to  provide  ourselves  with 
a  Matrass;  My  Salary  is  300  dollars.  100  for  an 
outfit. — 

I  remain  as  I  ever  have  my  heart  is  fixed  trusting 
in  the  Lord,  my  spirits  are  good,  and  I  look  forward 
with  pleasure  when  I  shall  place  my  feet  again  upon 
the  vessel  that  shall  convey  me  from  my  native  land 
when  the  sails  shall  be  spread  to  the  winds  of  Heaven 
to  waft  us  to  the  shores  of  Oregon,  yes  I  look  forward 
with  pleasing  anticipation  to  the  future  Yes  there  will 
I  go  and  tell  the  simple  story  of  the  cross,  there  will  I 

105 


tell  the  love  of  Jesus  to  poor  dying  red  men.  there  will 
I  toil,  there  would  I  live,  there  would  I  die,  and  there 
would  I  be  buried.  Yes  Mother  it  will  be  just  as  easy 
to  go  to  Heaven  from  Oregon  or  the  Ocean  as  among 
my  kindred,  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed  soft  any  where. 
I  seek  not  ease  and  comfort  or  the  honours  and  pleas- 
ures of  this  vain  world,  but  have  a  more  noble  object  in 
view,  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  a  Crown  of  Eternal 
life  j  and  when  I  fall  if  faithful  will  it  not  be  a  glorious 
fall.  I  expect  to  fall  with  the  whole  armour  on  fighting 
the  good  fight  of  faith  I  expect  to  lay  hold  on  eternal 
life  and  to  wear  that  bright  crown  by  faith  I  now  be- 
hold. Blessed  be  God  for  the  precious  promises  held  out 
to  the  Christian,  I  hang  upon  them  I  stand  upon  the 
Rock  and  I  have  a  sweet  assurance  I  ever  shall  lean 
upon  this  sure  foundation  which  never  shall  give  away. 
I  feel  grateful  to  my  Heavenly  Father  for  the  strength 
given  me  to  enable  me  to  part  so  cheerfully  with  my 
dear  friends,  I  have  hardly  shed  a  tear.  I  am  followed 
by  many  prayers  and  good  wishes,  and  I  feel  assured 
I  shall  have  your  prayers,  till  lifes  Sun  is  set.  You  and 
yours  ever  will  have  mine,  whether  on  the  mighty  bil- 
lows or  beyond  the  towering  mountains,  a  throne  of 
grace  is  accessible  as  long  as  Jesus  is  our  advocate.  I 
feel  grateful  to  my  friends  in  N.  York  for  the  many 
tokens  of  affection  I  have  received  from  them  It  will 
often  remind  me  of  them.  Please  to  give  my  warmest 
thanks  to  Mrs.  Luther  for  her  valuable  presents  I  prize 
them  highly  I  shall  ever  hold  her  in  affectionate  re- 
membrance at  the  mercy  seat.  Remember  me  to  my  dear 
Sister  Whitfield  and  family  to  Mr.  Martin's,  to  all  my 
friends  who  enquire  after  me,  especially  those  who  are 
of  the  household  of  faith.  Tell  my  dear  Brothers  and 
Sisters  they  still  are  dear  to  me,   they  will  not  forget 

106 


their  absent  Sister.  I  think  before  I  leave  Boston  I  will 
write  to  them 

I  hope  you  indulge  no  fears  on  my  account,  you  need 
not.  it  is  well  with  me.  God  is  with  me  and  will  be  with 
me  to  the  end —  I  fear  nothing —  I  am  happy  and  con- 
tented—  and  I  rejoice  that  I  am  counted  worthy  to  be 
placed  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  Oh  that  I  may  be 
useful  that  my  labour  be  not  in  vain —  If  you  think 
proper  to  write  you  must  do  it  by  the  1 8  th —  I  do  not 
believe  we  will  sail  before  the  20th.  The  rain  puts  the 
ship  back  very  much  on  account  of  getting  the  cargo 
on  board. 

I  have  nothing  more  at  present  to  say  but  that  Hea- 
vens choicest  blessings  may  rest  upon  you.  and  when 
life  sinks  apace  and  death  is  in  view  may  the  word  of 
Gods  grace  then  comfort  you  through —  Remember  her 
who  subscribes  herself  your  affectionate  Daughter 

Anna  Maria 
Mrs.  Mary  Pittman 


1. — Miss  Elvira  Johnson. 

2. — "A  letter  from  Rev.  F.  C.  Peirce,  Newbedford,  [Massachusetts], 
March  5th  in  relation  to  brother  Wilson,  recommending  him  as  a  suit- 
able person  for  the  Oregon  Mission:  referred  to  the  Standing  Commit- 
tee." Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  26. 

"Your  Committee  have  also  received  communication  from  Newbedford, 
and  which  is  marked  D.  This  informs  us  that  Brother  Wilson  is  ready 
to  depart."  Ibid.,  33. 

There  apparently  is  no  official  record'  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Will- 
son  to  the  Oregon  Mission  in  the  Journal. 

3. — This  refers  to  Miss  Susan  Downing  of  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  who 
joined  the  missionary  party  in  Boston.  The  following  excerpt  regarding 
her  appointment  is  of  interest.  "It  is  announced  to  the  meeting  that 
Brother  Horton  of  the  New  England  Conference  was  in  attendance  on  a 
special  business,  which  if  it  was  the  pleasure  of  the  Board,  he  would 
communicate.  Leave  being  given,  Brother  H.  stated  that  he  appeared  on 
behalf  of  Miss  Susan  Downing  of  Lynn,  who  was  anxious  to  join  the 
family  about  to  sail  for  the  Oregon  Mission.  Brother  H.  further  stated 
that  a  long  intimacy  had  existed  between  this  sister  and  brother  Shepard, 
now  in  the  Oregon  country,   and  that  the  latter  had  written   to  Miss 

107 


Downing  to  proceed  to  that  country  the  first  opportunity  that  offered; 
that  the  time  for  the  departure  of  the  family  being  fixed  at  so  early  a 
period,  he  had  been  induced  to  come  on  to  lay  the  case  before  the  Board. 
Bishop  Hedding  and  Brother  Horton  both  expressed  a  very  favorable 
opinion  of  this  young  lady  and  they  thought  that  she  was  a  very  suitable 
person  to  be  employed  as  a  teacher.  Whereupon  motion,  it  was  unani- 
mously resolved  that  Miss  Susan  Downing  be,  and  hereby  is  constituted 
a  member  of  the  Mission  family,  about  to  sail  for  the  Columbia  River  via 
the  Sandwich  Islands,  in  the  ship  Hamilton  of  Boston."  Journal  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  32-33. 

At  the  time  Jason  Lee  wrote  to  the  Mission  Board  requesting  that 
women  be  sent  to  the  Oregon  Mission  with  the  first  reenforcement,  Cyrus 
Shepard  was  teaching  school  in  Vancouver  and  knew  nothing  of  the  sit- 
uation at  the  Mission,  nor  of  the  fact  that  women  had  been  requested 
to  assist  in  carrying  on  its  work.  When  Mr.  Shepard  did  find  out  about 
the  matter,  it  was  too  late  for  him  to  write  a  letter  to  send  at  the  same 
time.  At  the  time  of  his  departure  for  Oregon,  in  1834,  it  was  under- 
stood between  him  and  Susan  Downing,  who  resided  in  his  home  town, 
that  when  things  were  established  at  the  Mission  he  would  send  for  her, 
and  if  she  still  thought  enough  of  him  to  go  out  to  this  new  country 
and  share  the  work  and  hardships  of  the  mission  life,  she  was  to  leave 
at  the  first  opportunity  that  presented  itself.  Since  it  seemed  likely  that 
that  time  would  come  in  the  not  too  distant  future,  Cyrus  Shepard,  in 
September,  1835,  dispatched  a  letter  to  Miss  Downing.  He  requested  her 
to  make  arrangements  through  the  Methodist  Missionary  Society  to  come 
to  Oregon  with  the  others  that  might  be  sent,  providing  she  was  under 
no  other  obligation  and  was  willing  to  confer  upon  him  "the  greatest  of 
earthly  and  spiritual  blessings,  .  .  .  that  of  consenting  to  become  my 
bosom  friend  and  mutual  fellow  labourer  in  the  heathen  land."  Should 
she  decide  to  come,  he  urged  her  to  hasten  making  her  arrangements  in 
order  not  to  lose  the  opportunity  of  sailing  with  the  first  reenforcement. 
Preparations  for  the  departure  of  the  others  was  well  under  way  when 
Miss  Downing  received  her  fiance's  letter,  hence  the  need  for  speeding 
up  the  matter  of  her  appointment.  Cyrus  Shepard  to  Susan  Downing, 
Mission  House,  Willamette  River,  September,  1835,  and  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N. 
Traxler  to  the  writer,  Creswell,  Oregon,  September  27,  1934. 

4. — Rev.  Harvey  Van  Order,  who  had  been  appointed  missionary  to 
Oregon,  later  notified  the  Board  that  he  would  not  go.  He  gave  as  his 
reason  the  fact  that  his  wife's  relatives  were  greatly  opposed  to  her  going. 
The  Board  made  an  effort  to  secure  another  missionary.  Since  none  ac- 
companied the  reenforcement,  it  was  evidently  unsuccessful.  Journal  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  35. 

5. — Dr.  Nathan  Bangs  was  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  New  York  City. 

6. — Dr.  Elijah  White  of  Havana,  Tompkins  County,  New  York,  was 
chosen  as  a  physician  to  go  to  Oregon.  The  official  brethren  of  the  church 
at  Havana,  New  York,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Mission  Board  remonstrat- 
ing against  the  appointment  of  Dr.  White  to  the  Oregon  Mission.  "The 

108 


reasons  stated  for  their  objection  are  the  important  services  the  Church 
derives  from  the  labors  of  Brother  White  at  Havana;  particularly  in  the 
Sunday  School  department.  Brother  Hall,  the  preacher  in  charge,  concurs 
with  the  brethren.  He  says  that  Dr.  White's  labors  are  greatly  needed 
and  cannot  be  withdrawn  with  any  degree  of  safety  to  the  rising  Church 
in  that  place."  A  letter  from  Dr.  White  accompanied  the  above  letter  and 
"he  submits  the  case  to  the  wisdom  of  the  Board."  After  some  discussion 
it  was 

"Resolved,  that  this  Board  cannot  release  brother  White  from  his  en- 
gagements unless  he  himself  requests  it."  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July 
15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  15-16;  27-28. 

7. — "As  the  Mission  family  are  about  to  depart  for  the  scene  of  their 
future  labors  it  was  deemed  necessary  that  one  of  them  should  be  clothed 
with  full  power  as  the  head  of  the  family,  until  they  shall  be  able  to  re- 
port themselves  to  the  Rev.  Jason  Lee,  the  Superintendent. 

"Whereupon,  it  was  Resolved,  that  our  brother  Elijah  White,  physi- 
cian &c  be  considered  the  head  of  the  Mission  family,  about  to  embark 
in  the  ship  Hamilton,  from  Boston,  and  that  he  is  hereby  authorized  to 
draw  on  the  Treasurer  for  all  necessary  expenditures  of  the  family  while 
at  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  for  their  passage  &c.  to  the  seat  of  the  mis- 
sion under  the  care  of  brother  Jason  Lee,  and  that  this  resolution  shall 
be  in  force  until  Brother  White  is  enabled  to  give  up  his  charge  to 
brother  Jason  Lee."  Ibid.,  38-39. 

8. — The  first  hint  that  Miss  Pittman  gives  us  that  the  Board  of  Man- 
agers of  the  Missionary  Society  may  have  made  it  known  to  her  that  she 
was  being  sent  out  to  become  the  wife  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee. 

9. — Captain  Barker.  See  letter  of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents, 
Sabbath,  Boston,  July  17,  1836. 


109 


V 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Brother, 
Francis  Pittman 

Boston  July  1836 
My  Dear  Brother  Francis1 

Little  did  I  think  the  last  time  I  saw  you,  it  would 
be  perhaps  the  last  j  and  you  will  be  as  much  surprised 
on  your  return,  to  find  that  I  have  gone  so  far  from 
home.  Yes  my  Brother  great  changes  take  place  in  a 
short  time.  When  you  left  N.  Y.  none  of  us  knew  when, 
or  whither  you  went,  or  what  would  be  your  employ- 
ment j  this  of  course  has  caused  much  anxiety  to  your 
friends,  and  in  my  mind  I  am  frequently  led  to  inquire, 
Where  is  Francis?  but  I  have  no  answer. 

When  you  receive  this  I  will  be  far,  far,  away;  if  my 
life  is  spared,  I  will  be  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains ; 
on  the  borders  of  the  vast  Pacific  Ocean ;  and  while  you 
are  perusing  these  lines,  I  expect  to  be  instructing  the 
young  Natives  of  the  region ;  among  them  I  shall 
labour,  and  teach  them  the  way  of  life  and  peace.  They 
are  ignorant  of  a  Supreme  Being,  they  know  not  who 
created  them,  they  know  not  a  Saviour  died  for  them, 
neither  do  they  know  of  a  Heaven  or  Hell  after  death, 
when  they  die  they  take  a  leap  in  the  dark.  Ought  not 
some  one  to  go  and  open  their  eyes,  and  teach  them  the 
way  of  salvation?  certainly j  and  they  who  have  tasted 
the  joys  of  Religion,  and  have  known  the  sweets  of 
pardoned  sins,  who  have  experienced  the  love  of  God 
shed  abroad  in  their  hearts,  and  have  espoused  the 
cause  of  Christ  j  they  have  been  commanded  to  Go 
teach  all  nations ;  It  is  not  necessary  for  all  to  go,  all 
are  not  called,  or  willing  to  go,  But  there  are  those 
who  are  are  willing  to  leave  their  home  and  friends,  to 

110 


make  many  sacrifices,  in  order  to  be  useful  in  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  and  those  who  thus  dedicate  themselves 
to  the  Lord,  have  a  rich  reward  in  view.  Francis  your 
absent  Sister  has  laid  herself  a  willing  sacrifice  upon  the 
altar,  and  will  not  my  Brother  give  his  heart  to  the 
Lord?  He  has  said  in  his  word,  "My  Son  give  me  thy 
heart,"2  and  can  you  withhold  it  when  Jesus  has  done 
so  much  for  you.  Oh  how  often  has  the  Spirit  stood 
knocking  at  the  door  of  your  heart  for  entrance  remem- 
ber his  spirit  will  not  always  strive  with  man.  then  let 
me  intreat  you  to  Remember  your  Creator  in  the  days 
of  thy  youth.3  It  rejoices  my  heart  to  know  that  John4 
is  walking  in  the  ways  of  wisdom,  he  has  not  begun  too 
young.  I  regret  that  I  did  not  set  out  before,  well,  I 
must  be  the  more  diligent  and  faithful  in  serving  the 
Lord, 

oh  how  often  have  I  prayed  for  you,  what  anxiety  I 
have  experienced  for  you,  not  only  for  your  present, 
but  eternal  welfare,  yet  I  feel  assured  God  will  in  due 
time  answer  the  prayer  of  the  faithful  yes  prayer  will 
prevail —  what  has  not  the  Lord  done  in  answer  to 
prayer,  and  what  will  he  not  do.  Blessed  be  his  holy 
name,  I  am  encouraged  to  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord, 
his  promises  are  precious,  he  will  take  care  of  me  His 
watchful  eye  is  continually  on  me,  as  well  as  you.  I 
feel  perfectly  safe —  "The  Lord  will  send  his  angel 
and  prosper  my  way."5  "The  eternal  God  is  my  refuge, 
and  underneath  are  his  everlasting  arms."6  He  that 
dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  most  high,  shall 
abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty."7  with  such 
promises  as  these,  and  a  thousand  more  can  I  fear?  no. 
I  am  happy,  contented,  and  cheerful,  and  I  shall  be 
more  so  when  I  shall  here  that  Francis  has  returned  not 


111 


only  to  his  earthly  Father,  but  to  his  Heavenly  Father, 
after  feeding  upon  the  husks  of  the  world. 

My  brother  'tis  the  hour  of  prayer, 

I  hail  this  welcome  hour; 

I  go  unto  my  God  and  there 

My  inmost  soul  I'll  pour; 

I'll  meet  thy  spirit,  shall  I  meet 

Thee  bowing  at  the  mercy  seat. 

My  brother  go  he  will  receive, 

He'll  pardon  all  thy  guilt; 

Thy  Saviour,  yes,  oh  but  believe 

For  you  his  blood  was  spilt; 

I'll  meet  thee  come,  I'll  meet  thee  there, 

And  join  with  thee  in  suppliant  prayer. 

Say  will  you  give  him  all  your  heart, 

Oh  why  refuse  it  now; 
Earths  pleasure's  false,  you've  felt  its  smart, 

Oh  will  you  will  you  bow; 
Now  is  the  time  no  longer  wait, 
Come  with  me  enter  Zions  gate.8 

Oh  will  it  not  be  a  joyful  time  if  we  shall  reach  Hea- 
ven, if  we  make  a  family  in  the  bright  world  of  joy — 
then  we  shall  strike  hands  together,  and  see  those  who 
have  gone  before  us —  separation  shall  be  unknown 
there  oh  glorious  hope,  oh  blessed  thought —  shall  I 
be  there —  unworthy  as  I  am  shall  I  have  a  seat  in  my 
Fathers  kingdom?  oh  yes  there  is  room  enough  for  all, 
enough  for  each,  who  engage  a  mansion  there,  enough 
forevermore — 

Dear  Francis  farewell,  if  we  meet  no  more  on  earth 
meet  me  in  Heaven,  we  may  meet  again,  circumstances 
may  render  it  necessary  for  me  to  return,  we  know  not 
what  is  in  futurity.  I  commit  all  my  ways  to  the  Lord — 
He  knows  what  is  best.  I  comnend  you  unto  Him  and 

112 


all  my  relatives.  May  Heaven  bless  you,  and  save  you 
from  bringing  your  parents  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to 
the  grave,  may  you  be  a  comfort  to  them,  a  useful  man, 
an  ornament  to  society,  and  a  pillar  of  the  Church. 
Farewell,  remember  her  who  prays  for  you  daily. 
Yours  in  the  bonds  of  affection. 

Anna  Maria — 


1. — Francis  Asbury  Pittman,  a  brother,  left  home  when  a  youth,  and 
his  family  did  not  know  of  his  whereabouts.  An  unverified  report  was 
received  by  the  family  that  he  died  in  battle  during  the  Civil  War.  He 
probably  never  received  this  letter. 

2. — My  son,  give  me  thine  heart,  and  let  thine  eyes  observe  my  ways. 
Proverbs  23:26. 

3. — Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  while  the 
evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years  draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I 
have  no  pleasure  in  them.  Ecclesiastes  12:1. 

4. — Probably  refers  to  another  brother,  John  Spies  Pittman. 

5. — And  he  said  unto  me,  the  Lord,  before  whom  I  walk,  will  send 
his  angel  with  thee,  and  prosper  thy  way.  Genesis  24:40. 

6. — The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlast- 
ing arms.  Deuteronomy  33:27. 

1.— Psalms  91:1. 

8. — Probably  written  by  Anna  Maria  Pittman  herself. 


113 


VI 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Sisters  and  Brothers 

Boston  July  16 — 1836 
My  Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers 

When  I  reflect  where  I  am,  how  I  came,  and  for 
what  am  I  here;  and  when  I  remember  the  station  I 
now  fill,  my  heart  oerflows  with  gratitude  to  God,  that 
unworthy  as  I  am  he  has  permitted  me  to  enter  in  his 
vineyard,  as  a  humble  missionary  of  the  cross.  I  desire 
no  greater  title,  no  higher  station  in  life,  than  to  be  the 
feeble  instrument  in  His  hands,  of  turning  one  soul 
from  darkness  unto  light,  when  I  consider  the  worth 
of  a  soul  and  that  it  is  in  the  power  of  the  child  of  God 
to  rescue  the  souls  of  their  fellow  beings  from  eternal 
death,  what  sacrifice  is  too  great?  Surely  none.  If  our 
minds  are  exercised  aright,  actuated  by  pure  motives, 
influenced  by  the  spirit  of  God,  we  would  not  consult 
our  own  feelings,  and  inclinations —  but  we  would  lis- 
ten only  to  the  voice  of  duty,  and  we  would  go  forth, 
though  it  might  be  weeping;  leaving  precious  seed,  en- 
lightening the  minds  of  those  who  sit  in  the  deep  shades 
of  natures  night.  Thus  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord, 
some  good  may  be  accomplished.  Yielding  to  that  Spirit 
that  has  often  knocked  to  the  door  of  your  hearts,  has 
your  Sister  gone  forth,  not  in  her  own  strength — no — 
I  should  soon  be  shorn —  but  in  the  strength  of  al- 
mighty grace,  I  have  quit  the  scenes  of  my  youth,  have 
left  my  native  land,  many  to  whom  I  am  bound  by 
strong  ties  of  consanguinity — strongly  united  to  many 
by  the  ties  of  Christian  love,  and  bound  to  others  by 
Friendships  golden  chain,  yet  I  have  cheerfully  left 
All,  but  I  have  one  friend  who  I  cannot  think  of  part- 
ing with  -j  God  being  my  helper,  I  will  cleave  unto  him 

114 


as  long  as  life  remains,  and  this  valuable  friend  of 
mine,  I  will  introduce  to  you,  who  are  not  acquainted 
with  him:  he  is  worthy  of  your  warmest  love,  the  more 
intimate  you  are  with  him  the  better  you  will  like  him; 
His  name  is  Jesus,  his  character  is  love,  he  is  our  advo- 
cate, he  pleads  for  us,  and  maketh  intercession  with  the 
Father  for  us.  He  gave  his  life  for  us  to  redeem  us  to 
God,  and  restore  unto  us  our  long  lost  inheritance — 
The  sinners  name  is  engraven  on  his  hands.  He  affec- 
tionately invites  you  to  his  arms,  oh  come  to  Jesus,  oh 
Emeline1  come,  come  my  Sister,  come  out  from  the 
world,  oh  leave  the  dull  tiresome  vanities  of  life,  They 
are  nothing  but  vexation  of  spirit —  I  regret  that  you 
are  so  much  in  love  with  the  world —  they  will  afford 
you  no  comfort  in  the  hour  of  affliction,  they  will  not 
soften  your  dying  pillow,  or  cheer  your  passage  to  the 
tomb,  oh  if  you  have  no  other  prop  to  lean  upon  in 
your  last  hour,  alas  how  wretched  will  you  be,  how 
gloomy  will  be  your  prospect  of  eternity —  oh  do  not 
let  the  world  cheat  you  out  of  your  soul.  It  still  prom- 
ises, and  still  deceives —  but  grace  will  arm  your  mind 
to  repel  the  fascinating  charms  of  this  vain  world,  and 
will  enable  you  to  look  beyond  the  dark  and  inmost 
recesses  of  the  grave,  and  cause  you  to  rej  oice  in  a  sure . 
and  certain  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality,  what  would 
make  me  more  happy  when  I  am  in  a  heathen  land  to 
know  that  Emeline  has  given  her  heart  to  God.  and 
you  my  dear  Sisters  that  are  younger —  take  the  advice 
of  your  Sister  who  is  far  away,  and  when  she  is  tossing 
about  on  the  bounding  billows,  or  when  she  is  where 
towering  mountains  seperate  us,  then  think  of  her  when 
she  tells  you  to  Remember  your  Creator  in  the  days  of 
your  youth.  I  hope  Amelia2  will  engage  in  the  Sabbath 
School,  and  go  steady  to  your  own  church,  keep  holy 

115 


the  Sabbath,  let  your  books  you  read  on  that  day  be  of 
a  religious  kind —  search  the  scriptures,  set  a  good  ex- 
ample to  all  around  you.  and  God  will  bless  you,  and  if 
you  will  yeild  to  his  holy  Spirit  he  will  number  you 
with  salvations  heirs.  The  flower  of  youth  never  ap- 
pears more  beautiful  than  when  it  bends  toward  the 
Sun  of  righteousness —  I  wrote  to  George3  before  I  left 
N.  Y.  I  often  conversed  with  him  on  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion j  he  has  my  parting  advice  I  hope  he  will  prac- 
tice it — 

I  have  written  to  Francis4  seperately,  we  do  not  know 
where  he  is  but  he  is  in  the  hands  of  God,  there  we 
must  leave  him,  may  the  Lord  preserve  him,  and  keep 
him  from  the  evils  that  are  in  the  world.  Since  I  have 
been  here  I  have  received  a  letter  from  John,5  I  am 
much  pleased  with  it.  May  his  soul  be  as  a  well  watered 
garden,  springing  up  to  everlasting  life.  Elisa  is  placed 
in  an  important  situation,6  and  I  hope  while  she  is 
teaching  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,  she  will  not  neg- 
lect to  point  them  [up?] ward.  May  she  abound  in  every 
good  work.  May  she  run  the  race  [set?]  before  her, 
and  henceforth  receive  a  crown  of  life  that  fadeth  not 
away.  I  hope  Salisbury7  will  take  for  example  his 
brother  John,  I  hope  he  will  be  a  good  boy,  make  a 
useful  man,  as  he  grows  up  to  manhood  may  he  grow 
up  into  Christ.  The  Lord  bless  the  lad.  —  I  hope  you 
will  all  comfort  the  hearts  of  your  parents,  may  the 
declivity  of  their  life  be  smoothed  by  your  kind  atten- 
tions, and  as  their  heads  whiten  for  the  tomb,  may  their 
soul  ripen  for  glory  and  their  prospects  brighten  for 
eternity.  I  have  not  mentioned  Grandma  in  any  of  my 
letters  yet  I  have  not  forgotten  her;  Time  with  her  is 
short.  I  hope  she  will  be  fully  prepared  for  death.  It  is 
time  for  me  now  to  close,  by  asking  you  to  remember 

116 


<K 


$J&LJE^t**'   <*"!?.«*     -^ksw* 


POEM  WRITTEN  BY  ANNA  MARIA  PITTMAN  ACCEPTING 
JASON  LEE'S  OFFER  OF  MARRIAGE 

Original  in  possession  of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Quinlan 


■;! 


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PHOTOSTAT  OF  THE  PAGE  DEVOTED  TO  THE  RECORD  OF 
MARRIAGES  IN  OREGON  MISSION  RECORD  BOOK 


your  Sister.  She  will  ever  bear  you  in  mind  at  a  throne 
of  grace —  and  oh  when  we  shall  breathe  our  last  in  the 
arms  of  death  may  it  be  in  the  bright  hope  of  meeting 
again  where  we  shall  part  no  more.  God  grant  it —  To 
my  Sisters  and  Brothers.  Yours  in  the  bonds  of  affection. 

Anna  Maria. — 

Remember  me  affectionately  to  all  who  inquire —  I 
will  write  again  before  we  leave,  we  must  be  ready  by 
Wednesday  21. —  My  best  wishes  to  Mr.  Frisbee8  to- 
gether with  my  warmest  thanks  tell  him  I  wish  I  could 
call  him  brother  kiss  him  and  tell  him  goodbye  for 
me — 

I  have  had  all  the  hair  put  in  a  locket  the  size  of  a 
25  cent  piece  it  is  very  handsome —  it  is  gilt  and  cost 
me  two  dollars.  This  is  the  fifth  letter  I  have  written 
to  different  ones —  I  have  been  getting  more  sheets  a 
matrass,  cot  and  some  other  things  we  have  got  all 
kinds  of  household  articles  at  the  expense  of  the  Society 
Brass  Tin  Copper  wooden  ware  tubs  crockery  knives 
forks  spoons  tin  bakers  enough  for  four  families — 
nothing  is  spared  and  plenty  of  everything  useful — 

A.  M.  P. 


1. — Harriet  Emeline,  a  younger  sister,  born  January  6,  1814. 

2. — Catherine  Amelia  Pittman,  a  younger  sister,  born  December  28, 
1820.  She  remained  unmarried  and  died  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  92  years. 

3. — See  letter  of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  brother,  George  W. 
Pittman,  New  York,  June  9,  1836. 

4. — See  letter  of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Francis  Pittman,  Boston,  July, 
1836,  note  1. 

5. — John  Spies  Pittman,  a  brother,  born  August  21,  1816.  His  middle 
name  is  his  mother's  maiden  name. 

6. — Margaret  Eliza  Pittman,  a  sister,  born  February  13,  1807.  She 
attended  school  in  Troy,  New  York,  with  her  sister,  Anna  Maria.  The 
"important  situation"  refers  to  the  position  she  had  at  the  White  Plains 
Academy,  White  Plains,  New  York.  At  least  she  was  there,  probably 
employed  as  a  teacher,  in  1834.  M.  E.  Pittman  to  George  W.  Pitman, 
iher  brother],  New  York,  April  17th  1834,  A.  D. 

117 


7. — Amos  Salisbury  Pittman,  a  brother,  born  in  1825.  He  was  evi- 
dently named  after  Mr.  Amos  Salisbury  of  Troy,  New  York.  (See  letter 
of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  George  W.  Pittman,  New  York,  June  9th, 
1836,  note  3).  He  went  to  California  during  the  gold  rush  of  1849.  In 
1852,  he  left  California  to  go  to  Australia  where  he  died  some  years 
later,  but  the  circumstances  attending  his  death  are  unknown.  Amos  Pitt- 
man to  his  Mother,  San  Francisco,  Oct.  20/49;  Sacramento  City,  Dec. 
26/49;  In  the  woods,  Nov.  29/50;  Culloma,  May  11/52;  and  Culloma, 
May  27/52. 

8. — Refers  to  Mr.  J.  (?)  Frisbee  who  married  Harriet  Emeline  Pitt- 
man. See  letter  of  Anna  Maria  Pitbman  to  her  brother,  George  W.  Pitt- 
man, New  York,  June  9th,  1836,  note  2. 


118 


VII 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Parents 
t 
t3        When  I  commenced  this  I  thought  we  would  go  the 

^    same  week — 

-  Sabbath  Boston  July  17  1836. 

"2    My  Dear  Parents, 

"§  I  sit  down  to  address  you  once  more  before  my  de- 
~3  parture,  which  is  close  at  hand  and  I  think  the  nearer 
HH  the  time  draws  the  more  eager  I  feel;  yes  I  long  to  be 
-g    on  the  passage;  I  am  buisly  engaged  in  preparing  such 

o  articles  as  I  shall  want  on  board  the  Ship.  Brother 
X>    Spaulding1  is  a  good  provider,  he  knows  what  we  want 

bo  and  we  have  large  supplies,  he  is  much  interested  for 
J3    us.  I  am  to  have  $300  a  year  $100  for  an  outfit,  half 

^    of  the  salary  I  can  have  before  I  go,  that  will  be  $250. 

£2  I  preseume  my  expenses  will  be  about  150.2  We  have 
i — i  no  traveling  expenses  to  pay  at  all —  It  will  all  be  paid 
\>\  until  we  reach  our  field  of  labour.  If  it  takes  us  six 

g    months  to  go,  we  will  be  paid  as  if  we  were  to  work.  I 

JZ    have  my  french  books  with  me  and  I  think  I  will  study 

it,  as  there  are  french  settlers3  in  that  region.  My  dear 

S    mother  as  it  respects  my  leaving  you  as  I  did,  I  hope 

*g  you  do  not  think  hard  of  it.  I  knew  if  I  parted  with 
W    you   ceremoniously,   we  would   have  been   overcome. 

jj^  Though  I  appeared  so  cheerful,  you  must  not  think  I 
q    am  void  of  that  feeling,  which  nature  has  planted  in  the 

a  breast  of  Parent  and  child,  had  I  indulged  in  grief,  I 
,£»  would  have  been  unhappy,  and  made  those  so  about 
*§  me.  but  I  find  the  grace  of  God  is  sufficient;  and  if  I 
w    had  to  part  again  with  them  I  have  bid  farewell,  I 

p^  think  I  should  adopt  another  plan,  when  we  give  the 

IS    parting  hand  it  causes  pain,  especially  if  we  part  for  a 

long  time,  there  is  something  painful  in  the  thought — 

119 


and  we  are  apt  to  dwell  upon  the  last  word  the  last 
look;  and  memory  will  always  cherish  it.  The  ties  of 
nature  are  too  strong  to  be  severed  though  we  may  be 
seperated  yet  that  tie  cannot  be  broken  but  I  think  be- 
comes stronger.  I  love  them  that  I  have  left  but  I  think 
I  love  Jesus  better,  when  we  think  for  a  moment  what 
has  been  done  for  us  how  ardently  should  we  love  our 
best  friend  — Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father 
had  for  us.  rebellious  worms  fallen  creatures,  that  he 
gave  his  only  son  to  die  for  us.  He  left  his  Fathers 
throne  descended  on  the  wings  of  consolation  and  peace 
clothed  in  the  mantle  of  human  nature  had  not  where 
to  lay  his  head  yet  he  went  about  doing  good,  suffered 
and  died  for  thee  for  me  for  all  our  race,  and  now  sit- 
teth  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father  making  interces- 
sion for  us  with  groaning  that  cannot  be  uttered. — 

My  heart  cleaves  to  the  Lord  as  its  only  refuge  and 
finds  in  Him  a  secret  and  constant  spring  of  consolation, 
and  while  I  continue  to  put  my  trust  in  the  living  God 
I  shall  find  everlasting  strength,  his  word  is  sure  and 
he  is  faithful  to  perform  what  he  hath  spoken,  and  if  I 
am  faithful  in  the  performance  of  the  duties  devolving 
on  me  and  answer  the  great  end  for  which  I  was  cre- 
ated as  Dr.  Young  says  "That  life  is  long  which  an- 
swers lifes  great  end."  then  at  the  close  of  life  I  will  be 
comforted  with  the  pleasing  reflection  of  a  life  well 
spent  in  the  service  of  God  and  in  the  practice  of  vir- 
tue.— 

Monday  18.  Today  while  sitting  in  my  room  sewing 
word  came  there  was  two  letters  for  me  I  very  soon 
recognized  the  well  known  hand  of  Father  though  glad 
to  peruse  the  contents  yet  it  was  with  sorrow  I  received 
the  intelligence  of  Daniels  death,  how  often  do  we  see 
the  fairest  flowers  cut  down  the  brightest  prospects 

120 


blasted,  so  frail  are  the  things  of  earth  alas  how  soon 
we  die,  The  instability  of  all  human  affairs  ought  to 
teach  us  not  to  lean  on  earth  it  is  a  broken  reed  at  best 
and  oft  a  spear. 

Tuesday  19.  I  have  just  returned  from  the  Ship  I 
have  been  looking  over  my  preserves.  I  put  them  in  my 
box  among  my  bedding,  after  the  box  was  put  in  the 
cabin  it  was  turned  over  and  the  Ginger  syrup  ran  out 
about  %  pint  my  cloak  and  one  of  the  quilts  was  sweet- 
ened I  got  some  water  and  washed  them  off,  no  injury 
was  done,  we  will  not  sail  before  Monday  25.  how  long 
the  time  seems. 

Friday  22.  Today  Mrs.  White  and  I  purchased  a  side 
saddle  to-gether,  cost  $16.  when  we  get  at  our  jour- 
ney's end  we  will  get  a  horse,  we  can  get  one  for  $8 — 
Mr.  Spaulding  purchased  our  matrases  yesterday,  he 
got  me  a  double  one,  I  would  not  have  it  and  made 
him  get  me  a  single  one.  they  seem  determined  to  have 
me  doubled.4  I  will  take  care  of  number  one  and  that 
is  enough,  they  send  each  of  the  missionaries  there  a 
double  one.  and  an  extra  one  to  accommodate  company 
so  if  you  feel  disposed  to  make  us  a  visit  we  will  give 
you  a  fine  bed  and  bedstead  to  lie  on.  when  I  think  of 
the  expense  of  fitting  us  out —  oh  how  much  good  ought 
to  be  accomplished, —  since  I  have  been  here  my  appe- 
tite has  increased  very  much.  I  received  the  life  of  H. 
A.  Rogers.5  and  much  obliged  to  you.  may  I  copy  her 
example — 

Sabbath  July  24  When  I  commenced  this  letter  I 
thought  I  had  spent  the  last  sabbath  here  but  not  so. 
still  we  are  detained.  I  heard  Bishop  Hedding6  this 
morning  his  wife  will  call  this  evening.  I  am  delighted 
with  the  singing  in  the  churches  here,  it  is  accompanied 
by  instrumental  music,  if  you  could  see  the  churches 

121 


here  you  would  say  no  more  about  Mulbery  St.7  the 
curtains  behind  the  pulpit  are  crimson  and  very  full 
and  rich  and  trimed  the  pulpits  are  mahogany —  I  do 
not  approve  of  it — 

Thursday  morn.  6  o  clock  28.  I  am  getting  ready  to 
go  on  board  of  the  Ship.  the[y]  gave  orders  yesterday 
that  we  would  sail  this  morning —  a  pilot  boat  will  con- 
duct us  9  or  10  miles,  a  large  company  will  go  down 
with  us  and  return  in  the  boat —  after  the  ship  is  under 
way  religious  service  will  be  performed  at  8  o'clock 
we  must  be  on  board —  it  is  time  for  me  to  close  Fare- 
well—  Remember  your  child —  daily  pray  for  me — 
you  shall  hear  from  me  every  opportunity —  God  bless 
and  save  vou  and  bring  us  all  to  meet  together  around 
our  Father  throne —  so  prays  your  daughter 

Anna  Maria — 

I  have  been  purchasing  oranges,  lemons,  soda  peper- 
mints  and  so  forth.  I  have  spent  about  70$  since  I  have 
been  here —  as  long  as  we  stay  here  we  will  find  some- 
thing to  buy —  I  have  a  large  supply  all  I  want —  I 
wish  you  to  give  my  love  to  all  my  friends —  tell  them 
I  am  well  and  in  good  spirits  —  tell  them  all  to 
pray  for  me —  In  the  fall  another  mission  family 
will  be  sent  out  in  the  fall8 —  I  shall  expect  to  hear 
from  you  all —  you  can  send  very  conveniently —  any- 
thing you  want  to  send.  Dr.  Bangs  will  give  you  infor- 
mation—  tell  Sister  Whitfield  I  will  expect  a  letter 
from  her  when  you  write —  and  all  others  who  I  have 
written  too —  Remember  me  to  Grandma,  I  often  think 
of  you  all,  and  I  think  I  am  not  forgotten —  pleasant 
evenings  you  will  always  find  me  on  the  deck  viewing 
sky  and  ocean.  It  is  said  there  never  was  such  fine  ac- 
comodations for  missionaries,  as  we  shall  have —  I  leave 

122 


the  rest  until  I  get  on  board.  Friday  29  We  did  not  sail 
as  we  expected  yesterday — I  am  now  on  board  ship 
under  full  sail  a  large  company  on  board —  It  is  1/29 
in  the  morning  I  am  happy  and  am  now  about  to  take 
the  last  look  of  my  native  land —  Bear  me  on  thou  rest- 
less ocean,  let  the  winds  my  canvass  swell —  Heaven 
my  heart  with  warm  emotion  While  I  go  far  hence  to 
dwell — *  Farewell  —  ■ 


1. — Brother  Rufus  Spaulding  of  Boston.  He  was  authorized  by  the  Mis- 
sion Board  in  conjunction  with  its  clerk,  Brother  Francis  Hall,  who  was 
sent  to  Boston,  to  purchase  "such  articles,  (as  cannot  be  procured  in 
New  York  on  equally  good  terms),  as  are  necessary  for  the  Mission 
Family  and  to  make  arrangement  for  this  voyage  to  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  agreeably  to  the  terms  proposed  in  the  correspondence  with  Mr. 
Boardman,  owner  of  the  ship  Hamilton,  .  .  .  ."  Journal  of  the  Board  of 
Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  35. 

2. — The  Estimating  Committee  in  a  meeting,  June  27,  1836,  decided 
upon  the  expenses  for  those  about  to  depart  for  Oregon,  which  they 
would  recommend  to  the  Mission  Board.  The  estimate  for  Miss  Pittman 
is  as  follows: 

)     Passage     200. 

Miss  Pittman)     Outfit     100. 

)     Board  &  Salary  300.     600.00 

Ibid.,  Minutes  of  the  Estimating  Committee,  5,  in  back  of  the  book. 

Only  two  items  appear  in  the  financial  reports  of  the  Missionary  So- 
ciety relating  to  money  paid  Miss  Pittman. 

They  are  as  follows: 

1836 
Apr.  15,  Rev.  N.  Bangs  two  bills  for  sundries  purchased  by  Miss 

Pittman,  by  order  of  the  board  55  10 

Seventeenth  annual  report  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  Treasurer's  Report,  31. 

1836 
June  18  Anna  Maria  Pittman  for  outfit  for  Oregon  mission,  per 

draft  of  N.  Bangs,  Chairman  of  Estimating  Committee  37  67 
Eighteenth  annual  report  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  Treasurer's  Report,  25. 

The  total  sum  paid  Miss  Pittman  amounted  to  $92.77,  which  is  a 
little  less  than  the  amount  allowed  for  an  outfit.  There  is  no  evidence  in 
the  financial  records  of  the  Missionary  Society  that  she  was  paid  one 
half  of  her  salary  before  she  left  for  Oregon.  Nor  is  there  any  evidence 
to  show  that  she  ever  received  any  salary  from  the  Missionary  Board 
while  in  Oregon,  though  more  than  likely  it  was  paid. 

3. — Doubtless  refers  to  the  French  Canadians  employed  by  the  Hud- 

123 


son's  Bay  Company  at  Fort  Vancouver  and  to  the  settlement  of  its  re- 
tired French  Canadian  employees  near  the  mission. 

4. — Probably  intended  as  a  second  hint  regarding  the  selection  of  Miss 
Pittman  as  a  wife  for  Jason  Lee. 

5. — The  experience  and  spiritual  letters  of  Mrs.  Hester  Ann  Rogers: 
with  a  sermon,  preached  on  the  occasion  of  her  death,  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Coke,  LL.  D.  Also,  an  appendix,  written  by  her  husband;  to- 
gether with  extracts  from  her  journal.  London,  J.  Mason,  1833. 

6. — Bishop  Elijah  Hedding  was  consecrated  bishop  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  1824  and  continued  in  that  office  until  his  death  in 
1871.  He  was  a  member  of  the  New  England  Conference. 

7. — Probably  refers  to  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  on  Mul- 
berry St.,  New  York  City. 

8. — The  Mission  Board  had  already  determined  upon  sending  a  second 
reenforcement,  even  before  the  first  had  sailed. 

"Resolved,  that  Bishop  Hedding  be  and  he  is  hereby  requested  to  em- 
ploy two  additional  married  missionaries,  for  the  Oregon  Mission  as  soon 
as  practicable,  as  fartherest  so  as  to  sail  for  that  place  in  November 
next."  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841,  p.  35. 

The  following  entries  in  the  Oregon  Mission  Record  concerns  the  ar- 
rival of  the  second  missionary  family. 

Thursday  7th  Sept.   [1837.] 
"Messrs,  Leslie  &  Perkins  arrived  in  a  canoe  at  Vancouver  from  Ft. 
George,  having  recently  entered  the  river  in  the  Ship  Sumatra.  They, 
with  Mrs.  Leslie  &  three  children  and  Miss  M.  J.  Smith  have  been  sent 
out  by  the  board  as  a  reinforcement  to  the  mission. 

Wednesday  20 
"The  reinforcements  all  arrived  at  the  mission  house  about  11  o'clock 
p.  m." 

"Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical 
Society,  XXIII,  258. 

9. — From  a  Methodist  hymn,  This  hymn  was  sung  by  their  Boston 
friends  as  they  left  the  ship  in  the  pilot  boat. 


124 


VIII 

Anna  Maria  Pktman  to  Her  Parents 

At  Sea  Aug.  10,  1836 
Dear  and  Honored  Parents,  To  you  shall  these  pages 
be  dedicated  as  you  will  be  interested  to  know  what 
scenes  your  daughter  passes  through.  I  had  a  page  and 
a  half  written  when  I  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  it  I 
brought  it  out  on  deck  to  write  and  had  occasion  to  go 
in  the  Cabin  when  I  returned  to  my  surprise  I  found 
the  Mail  had  carried  it  away  on  the  wings  of  the  wind; 
I  do  not  know  what  Port  it  will  reach    there  will  be  no 

postage  to  pay  as  it  was  not  sealed  or  directed. — 

We  left  Boston  July  29th.  There  was  a  number  on 
the  wharf  to  witness  our  departure,  a  number  of  the 
friends  of  Zion  accompanied  us  to  the  Ship  we  went  in 
a  Pilot  boat  as  soon  as  we  left  the  wharf  the  company 
sung  the  Missionary  hymn.  "From  greenlands  icy 
mountains,"  it  was  sung  well,  after  we  had  reached  the 
Ship  and  she  was  under  full  sail,  we  were  seated  on 
deck,  a  short  address  was  delivered  by  one  of  the  Bos- 
ton preachers  after  which  prayer  was  offered  commend- 
ing us  to  Him  who  rules  the  wind  and  waves,  we  had 
some  delightful  singing,  several  preachers  were  aboard 
We  were  soon  called  into  the  Cabin  to  partake  of  a  cold 
collation  which  was  very  nice  we  then  broke  bread  for 
the  last  time  with  our  friends  not  knowing  that  we  shall 
again  enjoy  each  others  society  until  we  partake  bread 
together  in  our  Fathers  heavenly  kingdom,  our  com- 
pany sailed  with  us  about  10  miles,  then  the  parting 
scene  drew  nigh,  it  was  tender.  I  gave  my  hand  to 
many  while  mv  lips  were  pressed  with  the  warm  token 
of  affection,  after  they  were  started  they  commenced 
singing  and  sung  as  long  as  we  could  hear  them    they 

125 


then  waved  their  hats  and  handkerchiefs  and  we  in  our 
turn  waved  ours  til  we  were  out  of  sight,  we  had  bidden 
a  long  adieu  now  and  land  was  fast  receding  from  our 
view;  we  gazed  upon  it  until  it  seemed  like  cloud  in 
the  distance,  we  now  find  ourselves  surrounded  by 
nothing  but  sky  and  ocean,  it  is  really  amusing  to  see 
wave  after  wave  roll  up  and  break  over  each  other 
while  the  Ship  rides  over  them  proudly.  The  most  of 
the  family  have  been  sea  sick.  I  have  been  among  the 
number  but  have  not  been  sick  enough  to  vomit.  I  was 
confined  to  my  bed  several  days,  while  I  laid  alone  in 
my  birth  I  felt  that  I  was  not  friendless  for  Jesus  was 
with  me,  I  realised  his  presence  and  though  I  could  not 
bow  the  knee  in  prayer  with  the  family  yet  I  held  sweet 
communion  with  Him  who  searcheth  the  heart  of  man 
and  if  rightly  engaged  no  matter  what  our  posture  is. 
I  am  now  able  to  be  on  deck  the  most  of  the  time,  it  is 
pleasanter  than  in  the  Cabin.  Thus  far  we  have  had  a 
fair  wind  and  pleasant  weather.  Our  Captain  is  a  gen- 
tleman and  pays  us  all  the  attention  we  need.  Our 
Steward  is  a  first  rate  Cook  he  has  been  with  five 
mission  families,  we  have  Pastry,  puddings  and  warm 
cakes  every  day.  Tea  and  Coffee  for  breakfast  though 
far  from  land  I  have  heard  the  Cock  crow,  the  sheep 
bleat  and  the  Pigs  squeal  we  have  them  on  board,  but 
few  vegetables.  The  Seamen  caught  a  Porpoise  some 
of  which  we  had  cooked  with  onions  for  breakfast.  We 
have  seen  several  vessels  but  spoke  none.  Last  Sabbath 
we  had  worship  on  deck.  Brother  Wilson  gave  a  word 
of  exhortation  I  was  pleased  with  the  attention  of  the 
Crew,  there  is  perfect  order  and  cleanliness  on  board. 
A  young  man  by  the  name  of  Pittman1  is  on  board  but 
no  connection  of  ours  I  employ  my  time  in  reading 
writing  knitting  sewing  and  jumping  the  rope. 

126 


Sabbath  Aug.  14.  While  my  friends  are  enjoying  the 
privileges  of  the  sanctuary  to  day,  I  am  deprived  of 
them  j  and  though  in  a  floating  bark  on  a  world  of 
waters  yet  I  am  not  out  of  the  sound  of  praise  and 
prayer,  frequently  are  our  voices  mingled  together  in. 
praise  and  in  the  humble  attitude  of  prayer  address  a 
throne  of  grace.  This  morning  we  were  collected  to- 
gether on  deck  and  Dr.  White  spoke  to  us,  it  was  prof- 
itable. Last  evening  we  had  the  first  class  meeting  ever 
held  on  board  this  Ship,  It  is  a  means  of  grace  I  highly 
appreciate,  to  night  we  have  a  prayer  meeting,  we  have 
a  Bible  class  twice  a  week.  I  have  the  same  God  here 
he  hears  my  prayers  as  well  on  ocean  as  on  land.  To 
day  is  communion  Sabbath  in  N.  Y.  how  often  has  my 
soul  been  refreshed  when  I  have  surrounded  the  sacred 
board  and  partook  of  the  symbols  of  the  body  and 
precious  blood  of  Jesus —  seasons  long  to  be  remem- 
bered, I  expect  not  to  enjoy  another  such  privilege  til 
we  shall  hail  our  brethren  in  Oregon.  Though  deprived 
of  these  privileges  I  would  not  exchange  my  present 
for  my  former  situation.  I  have  great  cause  of  gratitude 
to  my  heavenly  Father  for  spiritual  and  temporal 
blessings,  may  a  realising  sense  of  his  goodness  keep  me 

humble,  at  his  feet. 

Aug.  15.  The  weather  continues  pleasant,  we  are 
about  1700  miles  from  home,  the  Ship  leans  very  much, 
we  stagger  to  and  fro  like  drunken  men.  We  have  fresh 
bread  every  day  together  with  sea  bread. 
Aug.  17.  Four  years  to-day  since  Julia2  closed  her 
eyes  in  death —  oh  that  we  may  find  her  numbered  with 
salvations  heirs,  may  we  all  be  so  happy  as  to  meet 
again  in  that  bright  world  above  where  we  shall  for- 
ever dwell  in  the  presence  of  Jesus  and  be  with  God. — 
Aug.  19.  Today  is  my  Fathers3  birthday,    may  he  see 

127 


many  more  nay  [may]  his  walk  be  close  with  God  and 
may  he  go  down  to  the  grave  like  a  shock  of  corn  fully 
ripe,  and  in  a  better  world  may  we  tune  our  voices  on  a 

song  at  endless  praise  to  God  and  the  Lamb. 

Sabbath  Aug.  21.  Another  day  of  rest  to  me  it  has 
been  a  day  of  sweet  peace;  it  is  brother  John's4  birthday 
I  have  thought  much  of  him  to  day.  may  Heaven  grant 
him  long  life  and  may  [he]  be  filled  up  with  useful- 
ness, may  he  grow  in  grace  and  increase  in  knowledge. 
Tuesday  Aug.  23.  We  are  now  between  the  Tropic's 
lat.  29.  long.  30.  the  weather  is  warm,  the  wind  con- 
tinues fair,  the  Ship  is  in  constant  motion;  you  would 
laugh  to  see  us  at  the  table,  there  are  ridges  on  the 
table  to  keep  the  dishes  on,  sometimes  before  we  are 
aware  of  it  our  glasses  or  cups  almost  oerturn  in  our 
laps.  I  cannot  comb  my  hair  or  dress  myself  without 
leaning  against  something.  To  day  is  my  former  class 
day  I  hope  I  am  still  remembered  now  my  seat  is  va- 
cant   I  had  some  dear  friends  among  them,  and  good 

seasons  together. 

Aug.  24.  This  afternoon  spoke  a  Brig  sailed  from 
N.  Y.  the  same  day  we  did  from  Boston.  I  cannot  ex- 
press the  joy  I  felt,  it  was  really  cheering  each  Capt. 
spoke  through  a  trumpet,  the  first  salute  was  the  bark- 
ing of  a  dog  we  could  distinctly  see  all  hands  on  board, 
bound  to  S.  America  this  is  the  first  we  have  spoke  it 
seemed  neighborly.  I  was  glad. 

Sept.  1.  Summer's  last  Sun  is  sun  [set];  oh  may 
[the]  sun  of  life  set  as  calm.  How  speedy  has  it  fled, 
how  short  our  time,  eternity  how  long,  oh  may  we  my 
dear  Parents  spend  a  blest  eternity;  where  there  will 
be  no  changing  scenes,  but  we  shall  forever  bloom  in 
the  paradise  of  God. 
Sept.  5.    For  some  days  we  have  had  contrary  winds 

128 


but  pleasant  weather,  we  have  had  but  little  rain;  I 
think  my  heart  was  never  so  filled  with  gratitude  to 
God  for  his  goodness  to  me.  his  peculiar  care  and  ten- 
der mercy  has  been  great.  Blessed  be  his  holy  name. — 
Sept.  9.  We  are  now  immediately  under  the  Equator, 
we  have  seen  several  whales,  flying  fish  and  sea  fowl. 
I  find  it  very  pleasant  in  the  evening  to  gaze  upon  the 
Heavens,  and  cast  my  eyes  upon  the  deep  which  seems 
full  of  fire,  a  fine  subject  for  contemplation.  I  have  just 
finished  Mrs.  Judson's  memoirs5  her  trials  were  severe 
her  reward  will  be  richer  in  Heaven,  may  I  imitate 

her. — 

Sept.  10.  To  day  we  were  furnished  with  a  beautiful 
dinner  it  is  Dr.  White's  wedding  day.  our  first  course 
was  Chicken  soup,  then  boiled  fowls  with  butter  sauce, 
roast  pig  followed,  then  mince  pie  and  apple  tarts  cov- 
ered with  grated  loaf  sugar,  wine  was  placed  upon  the 
table  those  who  chose  drank,  the  table  was  handsomely 
sat    the  officers  dined  with  us,  and  we  enjoyed  it  very 

well. 

Sept,  16.  We  are  now  in  lat.  15  long.  10.  weather 
and  wind  favorable  after  sunset  I  generally  go  to  the 
side  of  the  Ship  and  am  lost  in  sweet  meditation;  my 
heart  fills  with  gratitude  for  past  blessings  and  present 
mercies,  the  weather  begins  to  be  cool  my  appetite  is 
keen,     I  eat  hearty  and  leave  the  table  hungry,     my 

health  is  good. 

Sept.  24.  This  is  my  birthday.  33.  years  of  my  life 
forever  gone,  and  alas  how  little  of  that  time  has  been 
spent  in  doing  good.  Oh  if  my  life  is  spared  another 
year  I  trust  I  shall  be  enabled  to  do  something  for  God, 
who  has  done  so  much  for  me.  we  are  advancing  on- 
ward.— 
Sept.  30.    Since  my  last  date  I  have  been  much  af- 

129 


flicted  with  diarhea.  attended  with  extreme  pain.  I 
cried  unto  the  Lord  in  my  distress  and  he  helped  me. 
our  Physician  is  attentive,  he  was  obliged  to  give  me 
considerable  medicine  so  that  my  mouth  is  very  sore, 
the  Capt.  sent  me  a  bottle  of  wine,  my  sisters  have  been 
very  kind  and  done  all  in  their  power  to  relieve  me. 
Think  not  that  I  have  been  unhappy  though  I  should 
have  found  a  grave  in  the  ocean  it  would  be  all  right, 
even  there  would  my  Saviour  look  down  and  watch  my 
dust  till  he  should  bid  it  rise  in  the  general  resurrec- 
tion morn. 

"Midst  outward  affliction  I  feel  Christ  within." 
Oct.  1.  How  swift  our  time  passes  away,  we  thought 
it  would  be  tedious.  To  day  is  the  first  time  I  have  been 
on  deck  in  a  week,  it  was  reviving,  there  are  hundreds 
of  sea  birds  flying  around  us  they  are  very  large,  one 
was  caught  and  brought  in  the  cabin  this  morning,  it 
measured  from  the  tip  of  the  wings  three  feet  they  are 
beautiful,  their  wings  are  very  handsomely  ornamented 
with  various  figures  of  white,  they  are  the  colour  of  a 
dove,  there  is  another  kind  called  Albertross6  some  of 
them  measure  1 4  feet  across  the  wings. —  we  expect  to 
see  land  soon.  I  am  gaining  strength  fast.  I  know  I  de- 
serve chastisement  the  Lord  knows  what  is  best  for  me. 
we  must  not  only  do  his  will  but  suffer  his  will.  If  we 
suffer  with  Christ  we  will  reign  with  him.  These 
light  afflictions  which  are  but  for  a  moment  will  work 
out  for  us  a  far  more  and  exceeding  weight  of  eternal 
glory. —  — 

Oct.  10.  It  is  now  so  cold  we  have  put  on  our  winter 
clothing,  we  had  one  rough  day  last  week  but  no  storm, 
we  tumbled  about  finely  we  could  scarcely  get  our  vic- 
tuals finely —  the  waves  came  dashing  over  the  deck 
with  all  their  fury —  everything  on  deck  is  lashed  fast 

130 


and  in  the  Cabin  our  trunks  are  all  fastened.  I  often 
wish  the  Ship  would  stand  still,  as  we  stood  on  deck 
veiwing  the  Sea  we  leaned  so  as  the  water  came  over, 
and  looked  as  though  we  must  capsise.  but  we  have  not 
feared —  we  have  confidence  in  the  Capt.  we  know  the 
winds  and  waves  are  held  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  his 
presence  is  with  us  and  while  Jesus  is  with  us  in  the  ship 
it  is  all  well.  He  can  bid  the  waves  be  still —  and  they 

obey. 

Oct.  17.  We  have  now  been  at  Sea  80  days  have  had 
no  storms  and  to  day  for  the  first  time  seen  land,  we 
are  twelve  miles  from  Staten  [Is]  land,7  now  we  are 
near  the  Cape,  it  is  uncommon  to  have  such  pleasant 
weather  in  this  region,  it  is  Spring  here,  we  have  had 
some  April  weather,  one  of  the  Officers  was  conversing 
with  me  one  day  and  he  said  we  had  thus  far  had  a  re- 
markable passage,  he  could  not  account  for  it  unless  be- 
cause we  had  so  many  good  people  on  board,  I  replied 
it  was  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  our  friends  at  home 
who  were  praying  for  us  daily.  Yes  I  feel  as  though 
we  were  wafted  on  by  a  breeze  of  prayer ;  oh  how  com- 
forting for  us  to  reflect  that  we  are  remembered  at  a 
throne  of  grace  I  hope  you  will  ever  remember  me  be- 
fore the  Lord.  I  have  just  been  on  deck  to  view  the 
mountains  covered  with  snow,  the  Sun  is  shining  on 
them,  they  look  sublime;  we  are  all  much  animated. — 
Monday  Oct.  24.  We  have  got  safely  round  the 
Cape,  here  where  we  expected  storms ;  we  have  escaped 
a  few  days  we  had  head  wind  we  have  been  as  far 
south  as  Lat.  57:  we  are  now  in  the  S.  Pacific  ocean, 
thus  far  our  voyage  has  been  longer  than  we  antici- 
pated and  we  look  forward  with  pleasure  when  we 
shall  again  step  on  Terra  firma.  Last  week  a  man  fell 
from  the  masthead  without  injury — 

131 


October  31.  For  several  days  the  sea  has  been  very 
rough  we  have  hardly  been  able  to  keep  in  our  berths 
and  even  now  with  difficulty  I  write.  Yesterday  death 
came  very  near  us,  a  Man  fell  overboard  the  waves 
were  dashing  with  fury  against  the  ship,  a  rope  was 
thrown  to  him  which  he  grasped,  and  through  a  mer- 
ciful Providence  was  snatched  from  a  watery  grave, 
this  is  a  solemn  warning,     how  wise  for  mortals  to  be 

always  ready  for  the  hour  of  death. 

Nov.  1 1 .  We  are  now  glad  to  take  off  our  winter 
clothes,  In  the  coldest  weather  the  days  was  longest — 
they  now  begin  to  shorten.  The  water  we  drink  is  good 
better  than  I  ever  expected  it  would  be.8  I  feel  the  need 
of  exercise —  it  has  been  so  rough  lately  I  could  not 
jump  the  rope  or  walk  the  deck  as  much  as  I  need.  The 
currants  did  not  keep  long  I  put  them  on  the  table  they 
were  much  admired,  The  Ginger  preserves  are  very 
nice  I  am  very  choice  of  them.  There  is  more  pleasant 
weather  at  Sea  than  people  on  land  imagine  [o]h  how 
good  the  Lord  has  been  to  us,  we  have  many  depriva- 
tions and  yet  we  are  highly  favored,  we  have  no  reason 
to  complain  but  have  much  cause  of  gratitude  to  our 
heavenly  Father  whose  we  are  in  whose  cause  we  are 
engaged  and  in  whose  service  expect  to  spend  our  fu- 
ture days.  I  feel  anxious  to  be  engaged  in  his  work. 
Nov.  17.  The  wind  has  been  contrary  nearly  a  week 
we  make  but  little  progress,  I  begin  to  grow  wearv  of 
a  sea  life,  if  we  could  goJ  ashore  [and]  take  a  walk  it 
would  be  some  relief  but  we  cannot  even  [get]  a 
glimpse  of  land.  I  have  made  4  new  dresses  and  knit  2 
pr.  of  [sto]ckings  and  a  patchwork  spread.  I  get  tired 

of  reading. 

Monday  Nov.  28.  Lat.  6  long.  114.  For  8  or  10 
days  past  we  have  had  fair  wind  and  we  in  high  spirits 

132 


are  moving  swiftly  along  We  are  all  very  joyful  this 
morning,  we  hailed  a  whaling  ship  they  soon  manned 
a  boat  and  the  Capt.  and  mate  came  on  board  of  our 
Ship,  we  were  overjoyed  and  the  tear  stole  from  my 
eye  all  seemed  to  enjoy  it.  when  I  shook  hands  with 
the  Stranger  it  seemed  like  meeting  an  old  friend. 
Brother  Wilson  [found]  among  them  an  old  shipmate9 
every  countenance  wore  a  smile,  we  were  soon  called  to 
part  thus  it  is  all  through  life  we  get  acquainted  and 
then  part,  but  in  Heaven  it  will  be  a  sound  unknown. 
Dec.  2.  This  morning  rose  early,  the  moon  was  shin- 
ing and  the  morning  stars  sang  together;  Aurora  put 
on  her  blushing  tint  and  the  ocean  rolled  sweetly,  the 
scene  was  beautiful^  who  but  can  admire  the  work  of  an 
Almighty  hand,  a  few  minutes  before  6-o'clock  the 
powerful  "king  of  day"  arose  in  all  his  glory  giving  life 
light  and  beauty  to  all  creation,  such  a  scene  is  worth 
the  sacrifice  of  an  hour's  indulgence  in  bed.  I  suppose 
you  are  hovering  over  a  good  fire  while  with  us  it  is 
lovely  summer  weather  We  will  have  no  more  winter 
until  we  have  it  in  Oregon  in  1837.  we  are  immediately 
under  the  Equator  The  Thermometor  stands  at  75  in 
the  shade     when  we  crossed  it  on  the  Atlantic  it  was 

86.- 

Dec.  8.  Five  months  to  day  since  I  left  N.  Y.  last 
Sabbath  our  Cook  died  and  we  committed  him  to  a 
grave  in  the  ocean,  he  was  sewed  up  in  a  hammock  with 
bullets  at  his  feet.,  the  flag  served  as  a  Pall  while  the 
funeral  service  was  read  by  Dr.  White.10  the  whole 
ships  company  were  assembled,  it  was  a  solem  scene.  — 
Dec.  23.  My  eyes  have  feasted  to  day  on  the  sight  of 
land  the  Islands11  have  made  their  appearance  some 
are  a  distance  of  many  miles  apart,  on  one  of  them  is  a 
Volcanoe  and  its  lofty  mountains  covered  with  Snow,  to 

133 


us  they  seem  like  Clouds  yet.  We  are  drawing  near 
Oahu  where  we  expect  to  land,  it  seems  like  a  pile  of 
mountains  we  gaze  on  it  with  eagar  delight,  we  are 
all  as  busy  as  May  day     every  one  packing  up  for  a 

start,    blow  blow  ye  winds  blow12 Evening  9 

o'clock  Pilot  has  just  come  on  board  his  boat  is 
manned  with  natives  j  we  cannot  understand  them  they 
make  a  great  noitsel  oh  what  joy  there  is  among 
them,  this  is  the  first  ship  from  home  in  a  year.  We  are 
all  very  much  excited,  oh  the  goodness  of  God. 
Saturday  Dec.  24.  Last  evening  Dr.  White  and  Mr.. 
Wilson  went  ashore  the  people  were  over j  oyed  to  see 
them,  this  morning  early  they  returned  bringing  with 
them  Milk,  Cucumbers  Eggs,  Bananas,  Watermelons 
what  a  breakfast  we  had.  after  breakfast  Mr.  Bing- 
ham13 and  Smith14  of  the  mission  came  to  see  us  and 
gave  us  a  hearty  welcome,  they  were  taken  on  surprise, 
and  we  bring  them  the  first  inteligence  from  their 
friends  who  left  them  last  winter  The  Canoes  are 
numerous  around  our  Ship  some  of  the  Natives  have 
nothing  on  but  a  Shirt.  About  10.  o'clock  this  morning 
we  went  ashore  in  a  small  boat,  the  natives  were  thick 
enough  around  the  wharf  we  seemed  to  be  quite  a 
curiosity,  we  were  conducted  to  the  mission  establish- 
ment I  cannot  attempt  to  [express  how?]  I  feel  for 
the  warm  reception  we  have  met  with  by  our  Presby- 
terian Sisters,  we  were  embraced  as  though  we  were 
sisters  indeed,  they  were  assembled  at  the  house  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Bingham  where  we  had  singing  and  prayers, 
what  an  interesting  season  is  this,  dinner  time  and  we 
all  dispersed,  the  families  live  near  each  other.  Mrs. 
Chamberlain15  conducted  me  to  her  house  which  is  very 
large,  she  is  a  lovely  woman  she  said  she  could  sym- 
pathise with  me,    she  came  here  single  but  soon  mar- 

134 


ried  Her  husband  has  been  here  14  years  she  has 
been  here  9  years.  For  dinner  we  had  Fresh  pork,  beef, 
Eggs,  Squash,  Sweet  Potatoes,  and  Tarro,16  it  answers 
the  purpose  of  bread  for  the  natives.  Yams  grow  here 
and  Bananas,  I  have  had  some  Oranges  that  grows 
on  these  Islands,    the  situation  is  delightful  —  —  — 

Honolulu,  Island  of  Oahu,  Christmas  Sabbath  Dec. 
25,  1836.  This  does  not  seem  like  Christmas  to  me, 
here  we  sit  with  doors  and  windows  open,  every  thing 
green  around  us  and  so  all  the  year  This  morning  we 
repaired  to  the  mission  chapel  and  there  I  realised  what 
I  have  so  often  read  about  in  missionary  journals  a 
building  made  in  native  style  twice  as  long  as  Allen  St. 
Church,17  not  quite  as  wide  the  ground  covered  with 
straw  mats,  setties  instead  of  pews  made  rough  though 
comfortable,  it  was  thronged  with  Natives,  many  of 
them  sat  flat  on  the  floor.  the  dress  of  the  females 
are  modest  and  simple,  they  wear  yoke  dresses,  they 
wear  combs  in  their  hair  six  inches  wide  neatly  put  up. 
oh  what  a  scene,  my  eyes  never  saw  or  ears  heard  or 
my  heart  felt  what  I  now  enjoy.  I  now  behold  what 
kings  and  prophets  waited  for  but  died  without  the 
sight,  such  a  concourse  of  natives  collected  together  to 
worship  God,  drew  tears  from  my  eyes  L  wish  I  could 
picture  the  scene  to  you  but  I  need  not  attempt  it.  Mr. 
Bingham  preached  in  the  native  tongue.  the  singing 
was  sweet,  in  the  afternoon  attended  the  Sabbath 
school  it  was  interesting.  In  the  afternoon  attended 
the  Seamans  Chapel18  preaching  in  English.  The  na- 
tives swarm  about  like  bees  when  we  come  out  of 
Church,  they  love  Missionaries  and  treat  them  kindly. 
We  are  treated  with  the  utmost  attention  by  the  Mis- 
sion family.  what  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for 
his  benefits  to  me. 

135 


Dec.  27.  I  have  so  much  to  say  I  dont  know  what  to 
say  first.  A  Ship  sails  in  two  days,  one  left  here  8  days 
before  we  arrived.  The  day  before  we  arrived  here  sev- 
eral letters  were  received  from  D.  Lee19  his  health  is 
better  he  left  here  in  July.  I  am  with  the  same  family 
he  staid  with.  Dr.  White  has  engaged  a  house  for  him 
and  Mr.  Beers,  family  to  live  in.  there  is  no  prospect  of 
getting  away  before  March,  we  single  ones  are  seper- 
ated  in  the  different  Mission  families,  the  Sisters  are 
glad  to  have  us  with  them  This  [is  a]  delightful  place 
it  exceeds  my  expectations  every  house  has  a  large 
garden  and  door  yard  full  of  trees  full  of  shrubery.  You 
cannot  tell  what  an  interesting  time  it  is  among  them, 
there  is  so  much  news  from  home  every  ear  is  open  to 
hear  all  have  received  letters  from  friends.  this  is 
a  great  place  for  musquetoes  we  all  sleep  under  nets, 
native  females  ride  on  horse  back  the  same  as  men. 
white  females  ride  some  I  have  not  yet  but  expect  to 
before  long.  There  are  many  temptations  here  for 
white  men  who  are  not  Christians.  their  examples 
have  a  very  bad  influence  on  natives,  they  take  a  na- 
tive female  and  live  with  them  as  long  as  they  please ; 

some  marry  them. 

Dec.  29.  And  now  my  dear  Parents  will  you  return 
thanks  to  our  heavenly  Father  for  the  preservation  of 
the  life  of  your  daughter  tears  of  gratitude  now  fills 
my  eyes  for  his  kind  care  over  me  j  truly  goodness  and 
mercy  has  followed  me.  let  not  a  thought  dwell  in 
your  mind  that  I  have  been  or  am  unhappy,  my  time 
has  pased  swiftly  away  on  board  the  ship,  I  have  seen 
the  wonders  of  the  deep  I  have  been  rocked  upon  its 
rolling  billows.  I  have  seen  and  felt  the  power  of  God, 
have  been  preserved  from  dangers  seen  and  unseen  I 
know  you  have  had  much  anxiety  on  my  account  and 

136 


will  still  have.  I  hope  you  will  not  indulge  in  any  need- 
less anxiety  God  will  take  care  of  me,  cast  all  your 
care  on  him,  he  is  mindful  of  his  children  j  and  if  I  am 
faithful  I  have  nothing  to  fear.  I  hope  you  will  let  no 
opportunity  pass  in  writing  to  me,  I  can  assure  you 
letters  will  be  acceptable,    while  you  are  reading  this  I 

will  doubtless  be  employed  in  Oregon. 

I  have  often  dreamed  about  you  and  think  of  you 
every  day,  continue  to  pray  for  me  that  God  would 
nerve  me  for  the  work,  all  weakness  as  I  am  it  can  be 
made  perfect  in  the  strength  of  Christ.  I  have  this 
afternoon  had  an  interview  with  an  English  lady  who 
has  just  come  from  Fort  Vancouver  she  saw  both  of 
Mr.  Lees,  she  speaks  highly  of  the  place,  and  says  they 
are  expecting  us.  she  thinks  we  may  get  away  in  Feb- 
ruary —  —  she  is  going  home  to  England.  I  must 
close  by  giving  love  to  all  and  accept  a  large  share  for 
yourselves,  from  your  daughter  who  remains  yours  in 
the  strongest  bonds,    Farewell,  God  bless  you. 

Anna  Maria  Pittman. 
G.  W  and  M.  Pittman 


1. — This  is  very  probably  the  young  man  who  worked  his  passage  to 
Honolulu  where  his  father  was  living.  He  was  well  educated,  and  the 
passengers  liked  to  converse  with  him  when  he  was  off  duty.  Prosperity 
seemed  to  have  favored  him  in  the  Sandwich  Islands.  Nevertheless,  he 
married  a  native  woman.  Allen,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  50-51. 

2. — Phebe  Julia,  a  sister,  born  October  9,  1809. 

3. — Her  father,  George  Washington  Pittman,  was  born  August  19,  1779. 

4. — John  Spies  Pittman,  a  brother. 

5. — James  Davis  Knowles,  Memoir  of  Mrs.  Ann  H[asel?ine"]  Judson, 
late  missionary  to  Burmah,  Including  a  history  of  the  American  Baptist 
Mission  in  the  Burman  Empire.  Boston,  Lincoln  and  Edmands,  1829. 

Jason  Lee  also  read  the  same  book  on  his  first  trip  to  Oregon.  "Diary 
of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society, 
XVII,  240. 

6. — Albatross. 

7. — An  island  45  miles  long,  east  of  the  main  island  of  the  Tierra  del 
Fuego  group.  This  group  of  islands  is  off  the  southern  end  of  South 
America. 

137 


8. — According  to  Allen,  Ten  Years  in  Oregon,  26-27,  Dr.  White 
and  family  found  the  water  on  the  ship  extremely  bad. 

9. — Mr.  Willson  was  quite  an  experienced  whaler.  Allen,  Ten  Years 
in  Oregon,  23.  This  man  had  probably  been  on  some  whaling  vessel 
with  him. 

10— According  to  Allen,  Ten  Years  in  Oregon,  37,  the  captain  of 
the  ship  read  the  burial  service. 

11. — Sandwich  Islands. 

12. — "Blow,  blow,  ye  winds  with  heavier  gust! 
And  freeze,  thou  bitter-biting  frost! 
Descend,  ye  chilly,  smothering  snows! 
Not  all  your  rage,  as  now  united  shows 
Move  hard  unkindness,  unrelenting, 
Vengeful  malice,  unrepenting, 
Than  heaven — illumined  man  on  brother  man  bestows." 

A  Winter  Night — Robert  Burns. 

13. — Mr.  Hiram  Bingham,  missionary  of  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions,  was  sent  out  to  establish  a  mission 
among  the  natives  of  the  Sandwich  Islands.  He  embarked  from  Boston 
October  23,  1819,  and  arrived  at  his  destination  April  14,  1820.  He 
was  located  at  the  mission  in  Honolulu,  and  remained  there  until  his 
departure  August  3,  1840.  Hiram  Bingham,  A  residence  of  twenty-one 
years  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  table  following  p.  616. 

14. — Rev.  Lowell  Smith  embarked  from  New  London,  Connecticut,  in 
November  1832,  and  arrived  in  the  Sandwich  Islands  May  1,  1833.  He 
was  stationed  at  Kaluaaha,  Ewa  in  1834  and  in  Honolulu  in  1836,  where 
he  was  at  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  Oregon  missionaries.  Bingham, 
A  residence  of  twenty-one  years  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  table  following 
p.  616. 

15. — Mrs.  Levi  Chamberlain  (Maria  Patten).  She  arrived  in  the  Sand- 
wich Islands  March  3,  1828,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Chamberlain  Sep- 
tember 1,  1828.  They  were  stationed  at  the  Honolulu  Mission  from  1823 
to  1847. 

16. — Spelled  taro.  This  is  a  tuberous,  edible  root,  which  is  found  scat- 
tered throughout  the  tropics  and  subtropics  of  the  world.  It  has  been  cul- 
tivated most  extensively  in  Hawaii,  where  the  root  of  the  plant  is  made 
into  the  well-known  native  dish  called  pot.  The  taro  is  first  steamed  or 
boiled,  then  peeled  and  ground  with  the  addition  of  a  little  water.  This 
is  usually  allowed  to  ferment  for  several  days  before  being  eaten.  It  is 
considered  a  valuable  and  nutritious  food. 

17.— Allen  Street  Church,  (Methodist),  New  York  City.  The  Pittman 
family  worshipped  in  this  church. 

18. — To  care  for  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  seamen  who  frequented  the 
Islands,  the  American  Seaman's  Friend  Society  sent  out  the  Reverend 
John  Diell,  who  arrived  in  Honolulu  May  1,  1833.  Through  the  lib- 
erality of  the  king  of  Hawaii  and  the  premier,  the  Society  was  granted 
a  suitable  site  for  a  chapel  in  that  part  of  Honolulu  most  visited  by 
the  seamen  and  most  convenient  to  the  business  district.  Using  the  ma- 
terials he  had  brought  with  him  from  America,  the  Reverend  Diell  soon 

138 


had  a  commodious  seamen's  chapel  erected  and  dedicated.  The  first  floor 
contained  reading  rooms  and  a  library,  while  an  auditorium,  accommo- 
dating two  hundred  people,  occupied  the  second  floor.  Bingham,  A  resi- 
dence of  twenty -one  years  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  453- 

19. — Daniel  Lee,  nephew  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,  of  the  Oregon  Mission. 
He  had  previously  spent  some  time  in  Honolulu  to  regain  his  health. 
Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  years  in  Oregon,  134-137. 


139 


IX 

A.  M.  Pittman  to  Mrs.  H.  Martin 

Honolulu,  Island  of  Oahu,  Dec.  28,  1836 
My  dear  Sister: — I  have  taken  up  my  pen  to  ad- 
dress you  far  from  the  land  of  my  birth,  the  home  of 
my  childhood  and  my  riper  years,  not  with  painful, 
but  pleasing  and  grateful  emotions.  Truly  prosperous 
breezes  have  gently  wafted  us  onward,  until,  by  the 
goodness  of  my  heavenly  Father,  I  am  once  more  on 
firm  footing.  O  my  dear  Sister,  you  cannot  enter  into 
my  feelings,  neither  can  I  describe  them.  When  I  first 
stepped  on  board  the  Ship  at  Boston,  the  first  thought 
that  entered  my  mind  was,  perhaps  I  shall  never  be 
permitted  to  place  my  feet  on  land  again.  However,  I 
soon  succeeded  in  banishing  the  thought  by  giving  my- 
self unto  the  Lord,  in  whose  hands  I  felt  perfectly  safe; 
if  he  saw  fit  to  give  me  a  grave  in  the  ocean,  I  could 
say,  "The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done."1  I  have  been 
somewhat  afflicted  during  the  voyage,  but  I  have  found 
it  good  to  be  chastised.  I  have  been  happy,  and  enabled 
most  of  the  time  to  rejoice  in  God. 

The  passage  has  been  good;  we  have  had  much 
pleasant  weather,  saw  land  but  once,  and  that  at  a  dis- 
tance. When  we  came  in  sight  of  these  islands  I  was 
much  animated,  the  first  island  was  Owyhee,  some 
miles  from  this.  We  did  not  get  near  enough  to  dis- 
tinguish any  thing  like  land,  it  seemed  like  one  pile  of 
mountains  whose  tops  were  covered  with  Eternal  snow; 
with  the  help  of  a  spy  glass  we  could  see  the  waves 
dash  upon  the  shore.  On  that  island  there  is  a  burn- 
ing volcano;  but  the  island  is  very  fruitful.  The  na- 
tives on  all  these  islands  use  the  same  tongue.  We  came 
in  port  Friday  evening,  seven  o'clock  Dec.  23 ;  some  of 

140 


our  men  went  ashore  that  night  and  returned  in  the 
morning,  bringing  eggs,  milk,  cucumbers,  bananas,  and 
watermelons.  After  we  had  breakfasted,  some  of  our 
Presbyterian  brethren  came  on  board  and  greeted  us 
with  a  hearty  welcome.  We  soon  left  our  floating  home, 
and  were  glad  once  more  to  walk  on  land.  Blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord  for  his  preserving  care,  we  were 
received  in  the  families  of  this  mission  with  pleasure. 
I  cannot  speak  too  highly  in  their  praise ;  really  they 
are  examples  worthy  of  imitation.  I  feel  as  though  I 
was  among  my  own  people.  O  when  will  names  be  for- 
gotten, party  spirit  be  removed,  and  all  Christians  dwell 
together  in  unity  of  spirit  and  bonds  of  peace!  Heaven 
hasten  the  day  when  we  shall  be  bound  together  as 
with  a  three-fold  cord  that  cannot  easily  be  broken. 

The  day  before  we  arrived  letters  were  received  from 
Daniel  Lee.  He  states  that  they  had  received  intelli- 
gence (through  the  missionaries  who  had  crossed  the 
Rocky  Mountains)  that  a  reinforcement  was  on  the 
way  to  join  them.2  He  writes  in  fine  spirits,  being  quite 
recovered  from  disease.  They  have  had  good  crops 
from  their  farm  this  year,  have  400  bushels  of  wheat, 
800  of  potatoes,  all  kinds  of  vegetables,  pork,  fowl, 
fish,  &  c.  They  have  all  had  the  fever  and  ague.  J.  Lee 
has  just  recovered  from  an  attack,  which  has  left  him 
in  a  weak  state.  They  are  each  in  turn,  blacksmith, 
farmer,  cook,  teacher,  preacher  and  housekeeper.  In 
their  family  they  have  eighteen  children,  whom  they 
teach  and  provide  for.  We  are  very  anxious  to  proceed 
immediately,  but  we  expect  we  shall  be  obliged  to  wait 
until  March  before  we  can  obtain  a  passage.  Dr.  White 
and  brother  Beers's  family  live  together.  They  have 
taken  a  house ;  and  we  single  ones  are  in  different  fam- 
ilies of  this  mission.  Such  a  congregation  of  natives  as 

141 


I  beheld  on  Sabbath  I  never  expected  to  see;  truly  the 
Lord  has  prospered  this  mission.  I  cannot  express  my 
feelings  on  witnessing  such  a  scene — 1,000  or  more 
assembled  together  in  the  mission  chapel,  made  in  na- 
tive style,  decently  dressed,  seated  in  order  to  hear  the 
word  of  life  in  their  own  tongue,  was  a  sight  that  af- 
fected my  heart,  not  with  grief  but  with  joy.  After  the 
services  were  concluded,  several  of  the  natives  shook 
hands  with  us  heartily. 

I  attended  the  Sabbath  school — it  was  interesting — 
they  sing  sweetly.  It  is  quite  rare  for  them  to  see  white 
strangers  j  we  excited  considerable  notice  from  them.  I 
realize  a  good  deal  of  what  I  have  frequently  read,  but 
I  know  nothing  of  the  trials  and  difficulties  of  a  mis- 
sionary life  until  I  engage  in  our  own  field  of  labor, 
but  the  Lord  will  be  our  helper. 

I  witnessed  one  death  on  our  voyage — our  cook  (a 
colored  man)  died  of  consumption  j  though  he  was 
anxious  about  his  soul,  we  had  but  a  faint  hope  in  his 
death ;  he  died  delirious.  His  funeral  was  attended  with 
solemn  respect.  His  body  was  sewed  up  in  a  hammock, 
with  bullets  at  his  feet.  The  American  flag  was  thrown 
over  him  as  a  pall  as  he  laid  on  the  deck.  The  ship's 
company  were  assembled,  and  Dr.  White  read  the  bur- 
ial service.3  He  was  then  launched  into  the  ocean.  A 
few  days  after  we  had  reason  to  hope  in  the  steward's 
conversion;  the  change  in  him  was  great.  I  trust  our 
prayers  have  not  been  in  vain  for  the  crew. 

I  have  had  some  precious  seasons  on  board  the  ship, 
though  I  have  been  deprived  of  the  privileges  I  once 
enjoyed,  yet  I  have  found  my  Redeemer  near  to  com- 
fort, encourage,  and  strengthen  me.  We  have  had  our 
class  meetings,  prayer  meetings,  and  as  often  as  we 
could  on  Sabbath  on  deck  have  had  worship  with  the 

142 


seamen  j  a  word  of  exhortation  was  given,  or  a  sermon 
was  read,  with  singing  and  prayer.  But  some  of  the 
sailors  are  a  wicked  set  of  men.  Still  my  heart  is  fixed, 
trusting  in  the  Lord,  and  though  he  slay  me  yet  will 
I  trust  in  him.  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  have  fol- 
lowed me  all  my  life.  I  often  look  back  on  the  past 
with  pleasure.  I  often  meet  with  you  in  spirit  around 
your  family  altar  and  in  my  class.  I  have  enjoyed  sea- 
sons there  long  to  be  remembered.  Will  brother  Mar- 
tin give  my  love .  to  all  my  dear  classmates  and  tell 
them  though  severed  in  the  flesh,  I  often  meet  them  in 
spirit  before  a  throne  of  grace.  I  am  striving  to  press 
my  way  onward.  O  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  endure 
hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  I  feel 
as  though  you  had  not  ceased  to  pray  for  me.  O  continue 
so  to  do.  Remember  me  kindly  to  each  member  of 
your  family,  and  all  others  who  inquire.  I  hope  my 
dear  Sister  you  will  not  neglect  to  write  the  first  op- 
portunity. Give  my  respect  to  Dr.  Bangs  and  family.  I 
have  written  to  E.  Valentine.  I  have  much  more  to  tell 
you,  but  I  cannot  with  pen  and  paper ;  this  must  suffice 
for  the  present.  And  now  I  must  close  by  bidding  you 
farewell.  May  God  bless  and  save  you  all  with  an  ever- 
lasting salvation  in  Christ. 

I  remain  yours  in  the  best  of  bonds. 

A.  M.  Pittman. 
Mrs.  H.  Martin.* 


Editor's  note. — This  letter  was  published  in  the  Christian  Advocate 
and  Journal,  July  7,  1837,,  XI,  182.  It  is  the  only  letter  in  the  collection 
of  which  the  original  is  not  known  to  exist. 

1. — Probably  confused  with  "Thy  will  be  done  in  Earth,  as  it  is  in 
heaven."  Matthew  6:10. 

2. — Monday  12th.  September  1836.  "Have  heard  of  the  safe  arrival  at 
Walla- Walla  of  Rev.  Mr.  Spalding  and  wife,  Dr.  Whitman  and  wife  and 
a  Mr.  Grey — they  have  been  sent  out  as  missionaries  by  the  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M."  "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical   Society,  XXIII,   245.   It  was   these   missionaries   who   came 

143 


overland  from  the  East  across  the  Rockies  who  brought  the  news  men- 
tioned. 

3. — See  preceding  letterj 

4. — Probably  a  close  f] 
married  anyone  by  the 


3saa  nv 


egon   Methodists   To 

Jebrate  Centennary  AtjvaW 

hampoeg  On  August  2\    A 

. >ub  a 

Methodist    Oregon    Conferenct       _- 
ntennary,"     will     be     held     aT** 
mpoeg,  Oregon,  on  Sunday,  Au-  S J9S' 
:  22,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
ference  Historical  Society,  with 

William  Wallace  Youngson, 
;ident  of  the  Conference  Socie- 
presiding. 

ie  "Centennary"  will  commem- 
;e  the  100th  anniversary  of  the 
iding  of  the  "Oregon  Mission," 
'  18,  1837  and  the  double  honey- 
>n  of  Jason  Lee  and  Anna 
ia  Pitma  n,  toge!  her  with  Cyrus 
pard  and  Susan  Dowling  over 
it  is  now  the  "Salmon  River 
il,"  to  the  ocean   on  August  22,         ■ 

he  program  will  include  the 
:ing  of  great  hymns  and  an- 
ns,  singing  of  the  hymns  being 
cted  by  Robert  Siemple  and  the 
hems  being  sung  by  some  of 
most  noted  church  choirs  of 
state;  and  addresses  by  Dr. 
liam  Wallace  Youngson  on  "The 
leymoon  Trip  of  the  Lees  and 
pards;"  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Canse 
"The  Oregon  Mission  Centen- 
;"  and  by  President  Bruce 
:ter  on  "Jason  Lee  and  Will- 
;tte  University."  The  program 
close  with  the  benediction  by 
Louis  Magin.  It  will  be  a  great 
ision    for    "Oregon    Methodism." 


I'M- 


X 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Parents  ' 

Honolulu,  Oahu  April  A — 1837 
My  Dear  Parents 

I  take  up  my  pen  to  address  you  for  the  last  time 
from  these  Islands.  We  have  now  been  here  three 
months  anxiously  waiting  an  opportunity  to  be  con- 
veyed to  our  station.  We  have  at  length  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  passage  and  we  are  hourly  expecting  to  em- 
bark. I  am  perfectly  well,  and  my  clothes  are  becomeing 
tight  for  me.  I  find  this  climate  agrees  with  me,  but  I 
like  a  little  cool  weather  in  its  season,  I  do  not  like 
constant  summer. — Since  I  wrote  to  you  last  I  have  vis- 
ited two  other  stations  on  this  Island,  the  first  is  Eua,1 
Mr.  Bishop2  and  wife  lives  there,  it  is  14  miles  from 
here,  there  is  no  other  white  people  nearer  than  this 
place:  it  would  seem  lonesome  but  they  are  so  much 
engaged  in  their  missionary  employment  they  almost 
forget  they  are  alone.  It  is  like  taking  a  jaunt  out  in 
the  country  from  this  place,  (this  is  a  village)  I  went 
[on]  horseback  accompanied  by  Dr.  W.3  and  wife,  we 
had  a  pleasant  [ride?]  I  am  quite  a  rider  and  quite 
skilled  in  horsemanship.  We  rode  in  the  Sea  along  the 
shore  some  distance,  over  hills,  through  vallies  and 
streams,  dismounting  our  horses  at  times  to  walk  up 
mountains  we  were  glad  to  drink  from  the  brooks  out 
of  our  hands;  arrived  at  Mr.  Bishop's  after  dinner,  we 
soon  had  dinner  served,  staid  there  all  night,  next 
morning  proceeded  to  Waiaria4  1 8  miles  further  at  Mr. 
Emersons;5  we  were  affectionately  received  and  polite- 
ly treated,  their  situation  is  delightful;  the  Sea  is  just 
before  them,  you  can  see  its  waves  dash  up  and  hear  the 
billows  roar  as  they  furiously  beat  upon  the  rocks,    a 

145 


small  winding  river  runs  along  side  of  the  house 
through  a  cocoanut  grove,  the  other  side  and  behind  are 
high  mountains,  this  is  romantic  enough.  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
White  staid  three  days,  I  staid  10.  and  then  could 
scarcely  get  away — I  became  much  attached  to  the  love- 
ly pair;  while  there  I  rode  out  with  Mr.  E.  at  an 
appointment  where  he  preached  to  the  Natives — he  is 
quite  a  circuit  rider.  I  went  and  gathered  shells  from 
the  shores  of  the  Pacific — the  scenery  there  was  su- 
blime, I  cannot  describe  it,  the  hour  arrived  for  me  to 
seperate  with  friends,  I  received  several  presents  from 
Mrs.  E.  she  is  near  my  age,  has  three  little  ones.  I 
returned  to  Eua  accompanied  9  miles  by  Mr.  Emerson, 
I  was  then  met  by  a  native  man  and  conducted  nine 
miles  farther  to  Mr.  Bishop's  where  I  was  warmly  re- 
ceived, I  remained  there  1 7.  days,  while  there  we  went 
out  in  a  Canoe  10  miles — Mr.  Willson  wrote  to  me 
offering  his  services  to  wait  upon  me  home,  the  day  was 
appointed  he  came  and  we  sat  off  homeward  bound — 
we  had  a  pleasant  ride,  of  course. 

On  my  return  there  was  four  invitations  sent  for  me 
to  come  and  stay  with  them,  but  I  chose  to  return  to 
my  old  quarters,  Mrs.  C.  sent  me  word  that  she  and 
my  room  was  waiting  for  me.  These  dear  missionaries 
make  me  blush  when  I  compare  their  kindness  to  those 
of  many  at  home,  who  too  often  think  that  such  visi- 
ters as  we  are,  are  a  burden  upon  th[em].  We  girls 
have  been  no  expense  to  the  Board  except  our  was- 
[hing]  we  have  been  sewing  for  these  kind  friends 
and  they  esteem  it  a  great  favor.  I  have  visited  among 
them  a  great  deal. — I  wish  you  to  tell  Mrs.  Hinckley 
that  Mrs.  Bingham  was  glad  to  hear  from  her  it  was 
like  an  electric  shock  when  I  mentioned  her  name,  she 
never  expected  to  hear  from  her  again,    they  was  very 

146 


intimate  when  young.  We  are  looking  for  an  arrival 
every  day — by  it  I  expect  to  hear  from  home;  if  I  do 
not  I  will  think  hard  of  it  as  the  vessel  we  expect, 
sailed  from  New  York.  By  the  advice  of  a  friend  I  have 
sent  money  to  Canton  for  some  tea  and  table  spoons, 
since  I  have  been  here  I  have  purchased  considerable 
I  have  a  good  stock  now.  besides  I  have  lost  $50.  I 
wish  I  had  brought  my  bed  quilts  with  me — I  think  at 
a  future  time  I  will  send  for  them  and  some  other  ar- 
ticles I  shall  need  if  I  go  to  house  keeping,  as  it  re- 
spects that  I  cannot  decide  in  my  own  mind  what  is 
the  best  plan  until  I  get  at  our  feild  of  labor.7  we 
know  not  what  is  before  us,  the  past  I  know  and  have 
realised  much  of  the  goodness  of  God — more  than  I 
expected,  yes  more  than  I  deserve,  I  am  unworthy 
and  unfaithful,  and  when  I  remember  the  mercy  and 
care  of  God  I  am  led  to  say  with  David,  What  shall  I 
render  to  God  for  his  benefits  to  me.8  I  would  render 
him  my  life  the  service  of  soul  and  body  on  earth  that 
I  that  I  may  be  of  some  little  use  to  my  fellow  mortals 
who  are  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge. —  Time  is  fly- 
ing, the  heathen  are  dying  without  God;  oh  how  much 
there  is  to  be  done,  and  short  the  time  to  do  it  in.  the 
field  is  white,  laborers  are  few,  oh  could  I  be  now  en- 
gaged, but  I  must  wait  patiently — I  need  your  prayers 
my  dear  Parents  I  believe  I  have  them,  and  would 
solicit  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  the  church,  oh  that 
she  would  awake  from  her  slumbers,  that  she  would  not 
cease  crying  day  and  night  unto  God  for  the  conver- 
sion of  perishing  benighted  souls,  oh  that  the  time  may 
soon  come  when  the  worship  of  the  only  true  and  living 
God — (pray  for  it)  shall  be  established  throughout  the 
earth — 

April    5.    Today   is    the   day   for    sailing — we   are 

147 


all  on  the  wing,  I  wish  you  could  see  the  generosity 
of  these  Natives — I  staid  at  Mr.  Binghams  last  night 
and  this  morning  he  called  me  to  "come  out  and  thank 
my  cousins,"  I  went  and  beheld  a  load  of  vegetables 
fowls  and  fruit  for  our  passage.  I  thanked  them  in  the 
name  of  the  family  and  gave  them  the  friendly  saluta- 
tion of  Aroha  which  means  I  love  you.  they  seemed 
gratified  5  I  cannot  suppress  my  feelings  when  I  remem- 
ber the  kindness  of  this  people.  I  am  receiving  presents 
daily.  This  is  the  last  spot  of  civilasation  we  shall  see 
in  a  long  time —  we  shall  feel  as  though  they  were  our 
neighbours  and  shall  take  an  interest  in  them,  and  they 
in  us.  I  have  travelled  18000  miles  by  sea  and  have 
2000  more  to  go —  You  think  of  me  often,  I  know  you 
do.  you  will  as  often  pray  for  me;  I  shall  dwell  in  a 
land  of  darkness  but  God  is  my  light  and  salvation — 
and  if  he  pleases  to  call  my  spirit  from  this  tenement 
of  earth  from  a  savage  hut  I  shall  be  as  happy  as  if  it 
should  take  its  flight  from  a  palace  yes  happier.  I  shall 
have  the  pleasing  consolation  that  my  life  was  laid  upon 
the  missionary  altar  that  I  might  snatch  some  soul  from 
death:  will  not  this  repay  me  for  all  the  sacrifices  I 
have  made —  yes  more,  oh  my  dear  Parents  I  feel 
happy  that  the  Lord  has  permitted  me  to  go  forth  in 
his  vineyard,  and  that  you  have  so  freely  given  me  to 
his  service  yes  this  will  increase  our  happiness  in  that 
better  land.  Have  none  of  the  rest  given  their  hearts 
to  God  yet?  Surely  they  would  yeild  if  they  could  see 
as  I  do —  tell  Emeline  I  feel  interested  for  her  spirit- 
ual welfare  tell  her  not  to  drink  too  deep  of  the  cup 
of  earthly  pleasure,  she  will  find  it  too  often  mingled 
with  pain,  may  she  have  a  more  noble  object  in  view 
than  the  vanities  of  life:  tell  Elisa  to  discharge  her 
duty  faithfully  if  she  has  yet  the  charge  of  young  im- 

148 


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TOMBSTONE  OF  ANNA  MARIA  PITTMAN  LEE 
Lee  Mission  Cemetery,  Salem,  Oregon 


mortels —  I  wish  you  would  purchase  a  book  titled  the 
"Young  mother,"  you  may  all  learn  something  from 
it."  Is  John  faithful  may  the  Lord  prosper  his  soul.  I 
ask  no  greater  good,  he  will  be  a  comfort  of  your  de- 
clining years —  I  love  them  all  equally,  and  they  share 
daily  in  my  prayers,  oh  that  they  may  all  be  gathered 
in  the  fold  of  Christ  early  in  life  that  we  may  again 
tune  our  voices  in  a  song  of  ceaseless  praise  around  our 
Fathers  throne —  may  this  be  the  great  object  of  our 
lives 

And  now  my  dear  Parents  farewell,  may  peace  at- 
tend you  while  you  journey  through  this  vale  of  tears, 
you  have  had  a  share  of  affliction,  but  the  Lord  has 
done  it.  I  hope  your  last  days  will  be  your  best —  Re- 
member me  to  Sister  Whitefield  tell  her  I  hold  her  in 
prayerful  remembrance.  Give  my  love  to  all  enquirers, 
especially  to  my  relatives —  may  the  Lord  enrich  them 
all  in  his  everlasting  arms,  and  bring  our  ransomed 
spirits  together  in  that  world  where  parting  is  not 
known,  til  then  I  will  subscribe  myself  your  affection- 
ate daughter 

Write  to  me  all  of  you 

Anna  Maria  Pittman 

1. — Ewa. 

2. — Rev.  Artemas  Bishop  embarked  with  his  wife  from  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  November  19,  1822,  and  arrived  in  the  Sandwich  Islands 
April,  1823.  He  was  stationed  at  Kailua  in  March,  1834,  and  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  mission  at  Ewa  in  1836.  Bingham,  A  residence  of  twenty- 
one  years  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  table  following  p.  616. 

3.— Dr.  White. 

4. — Waialua. 

5. — Rev.  John  S.  Emerson  and  wife  sailed  from  Newbedford,  Massa- 
chusetts, November  26,  1831,  and  arrived  in  the  Sandwich  Islands  May 
17,  1832.  They  were  located  at  Waialua  in  July,  1832.  Bingham,  A  resi- 
dence of  twenty-one  years  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  table  following  p.  616. 

6. — Mrs.  Chamberlain. 

7. — Probably  another  hint  of  her  contemplated  marriage  to  Jason  Lee. 

8. — What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  his  benefits  to  me.  Psalms 
116:12. 

149 


XI 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Sisters  and  Brothers 

Thursday  May  11th.  1837— 
My  Dear  Sisters  and  Brothers, 

This  date  finds  me  again  on  the  broad  Pacific  Ocean, 
exposed  to  winds  and  waves.  After  bidding  adieu  to 
friends  to  whom  we  became  attached;  on  the  8th  of 
April  we  left  Oahu,  the  next  day  we  reached  Atooi,1 
another  Island,  where  we  went  to  obtain  vegetables  and 
fruit  for  the  voyage —  we  all  went  ashore  and  staid 
with  Mr.  Whitney2  another  missionary  three  days, 
which  was  a  great  relief  from  Sea  sickness,  here  we  were 
kindly  entertained.  On  the  11th.  we  set  sail  for  our 
destined  home,  we  have  had  a  boisterous  passage ;  more 
so  than  we  had  from  America;  our  faith  and  patience 
has  been  tried,  we  have  had  three  severe  gales,  so  that 
we  had  all  sail  in  and  laid  too,  yet  we  have  not  been 
in  danger,  the  seas  have  been  high  the  winds  have 
roared  loud;  at  this  time  of  the  year  we  expected  better 
weather,  but  it  is  all  as  the  Lord  would  have  it  to  be. 
and  he  has  been  better  to  me  than  all  my  fears.  We  are 
differently  situated  on  board  this  vessel3  respecting  ac- 
commodations, but  very  pleasantly.  Capt.  Hinckley  has 
his  wife  on  board  she  is  an  amiable  woman,  Yesterday 
we  encountered  a  gale;  I  came  into  the  cabin  and  the 
first  thing  I  knew  I  was  thrown  almost  into  the  berth 
where  the  Capt  lay  asleep,  he  soon  woke  up  to  see  who 
was  coming  to  bed  to  him;  we  all  had  a  hearty  laugh 
I  sleep  but  little  have  as  much  as  I  can  do  to  keep  in 
my  berth,  when  it  is  rough,  on  Tuesday  we  had  sight  of 
the  shores  of  Oregon;  we  did  not  dare  venture  near, 
because  of  a  sand  bar  across  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia 
river;  which  cannot  be  crossed  except  at  high  water:  it 

150 


is  a  dangerous  place,  the  breakers  roll  very  high,  there 
vessels  are  sometimes  lost,  we  have  been  obliged  to  put 
back  out  of  sight  again,  this  seems  trying,  but  it  is  for 
our  safety,  lest  we  should  be  blown  on  the  bar,  and  be 
in  danger  of  becoming  a  wreck. —  To  day  12  o'clock 
land  is  in  sight  again,  the  Sea  and  wind  is  favorable  for 
our  entrance,  we  may  enter  this  afternoon,  after  we 
cross  I  will  tell  you  more  about  it,  it  is  cold  we  have 
had  hail  storms.  It  will  be  warmer  on  land,  I  wish  I 
was  there.  Friday  May  12  By  an  unseen  arm  of  a 
gracious  Providence  we  were  safely  led  through  the 
danger  we  so  much  dreaded,  it  was  a  critical  hour, 
everything  was  lashed,  fast  to  receive  the  breakers  which 
[were]  very  high,  we  prepared  ourselves  to  be  cast 
away,  to  view  the  scene  it  was  terrific  and  grand,  we 
ran  over  the  bar  in  safety  we  only  shipped  one  breaker, 
all  the  females  were  in  the  Cabin  shut  in,  as  soon  as 
the  worst  was  over  we  went  on  deck,  the  waves  of  the 
sea  were  boiling  like  a  pot  of  water  for  a  Yz  mile.  You 
cannot  conceive  the  joy  and  gratitude  we  feel  at  such 
an  escape,  surely  mercy  has  marked  our  way;  we  came 
to  anchor  in  Bakers  Bay,  the  water  was  smooth.4  Cape 
Disappointment  is  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  the  scenery 
is  good  the  birds  are  singing,  the  hills  are  covered 
with  spruce  pine  and  hemlock  trees;  we  could  see  flowers 
growing  on  the  sides  of  the  rocks  on  the  cape.  This 
morning  the  Capt.  woke  us  up  at  day  light  and  we  went 
ashore  and  took  a  delightful  excursion.  Yes  once  more 
my  feet  have  trod  on  the  shores  of  America,  we  gath- 
ered flowers  and  specimens  of  shrubbery,  and  while 
looking  around  us  admiring  nature  in  her  beautiful 
Spring  dress,  an  Indian  advanced  and  met  us  cordially 
with  a  shake  of  the  hand,  soon  after  some  females  made 
their  appearance    they  are  decently  clad,    they  could 

151 


speak  but  little  English,  we  returned  to  the  Brig  and 
breakfasted,  after  which  I  went  on  deck  to  gaze  upon 
the  scenery  which  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  it  is  much 

more  delightful  than  the  Sandwich  Islans  are 

Monday  May  15.  On  Saturday  the  Brig  ran  aground 
four  miles  from  the  old  Fort  Astoria5  now  called  Fort 
George6  about  10  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river. 
Mr.  Dunn7  the  only  white  inhabitant  there  came  to  see 
us  and  invited  us  to  go  to  his  house  and  stay  until  the 
Brig  was  afloat. —  Mrs.  H.  and  the  mission  family  went 
and  was  entertained  comfortably,  the  house  is  one  story 
with  a  room  and  bedroom,  We  all  turned  into  one  room 
1 3  men  women  and  children,  our  beds  were  on  the  floor 
made  of  blankets  and  mats.  We  enjoyed  it  finely,  we 
had  some  delicious  fresh  and  pickled  salmon  and  plenty 
of  it.  while  we  was  there  the  Indians  went  out  and 
caught  40  in  one  day  some  of  them  4  feet  long,  we  have 
Sturgeon  and  Deer.  The  brig  was  got  off  on  Sunday  and 
in  the  night  Capt.  H.  came  after  us  about  1  o'clock  so 
off  we  went,  the  moon  was  bright  and  we  had  a  beauti- 
ful sail.  We  are  now  aground  again,  it  is  a  difficult  river 
to  navigate  and  makes  our  journey  tedious  when  we  are 
so  near  our  home.  Dr.  White  and  wife  have  took  a  Canoe 
and  gone  before  us.  They  will  be  obliged  to  sleep  on  the 
shore  or  in  the  Canoe  two  nights  before  they  reach  Fort 
Vancouver,  it  will  take  them  two  days  more  to  get  to 
the  Mission,  they  wished  me  to  go  with  them  but  I 
declined. Thursday  May  18.  Yesterday  we  ar- 
rived at  Fort  Vancouver.8  about  3  o'clock  P.  M.  Dr. 
McLaughin9  came  on  board  and  heartily  received  us. 
They  was  expecting  us;  the  next  morning  we  were 
landed,  and  conducted  to  the  Dr's  dwelling,  a  very 
handsome  one  story  house,  with  a  piazza  clear  across, 
with  a  winding  stairs  on  each  side;  4  large  cannon  at 

152 


the  front — the  house  stands  high  from  the  ground.  I 
cannot  tell  you  all  the  particulars ;  we  was  introduced 
to  Mrs.  McLaughin  she  is  half  white;10  their  daugh- 
ter Maria11  2 1  years  of  age  is  as  white  as  I  am,  a  lovely 
girl,  she  speaks  french  and  englishj  they  are  very 
clever.  Dr.  White  and  wife  arrived  2  days  before  we 
did  and  sent  an  express  immediately  to  Mr.  Lee.  60 
miles  from  here,  we  are  now  waiting  with  anxious  ex- 
pectation to  meet  him,  they  have  received  some  news- 
paper a  week  ago  with  all  our  names  in  it.  When  I  see 
them  I  will  tell  you  more  about  it.  I  must  tell  you 
what  we  had  for  dinner  to  day,  we  were  all  seated 
around  a  long  table  1 8  of  us,  the  table  set  with  blue, 
our  first  course  was  Soup,  the  next  boiled  salmon,  then 
roasted  ducks,  then  such  a  roast  turkey  as  I  never  saw 
or  eat  it  was  a  monster,  it  was  like  cutting  of  slices  of 
pork,  then  wheat  pan  cakes,  after  that  bread  and  butter 
and  cheese  all  of  their  own  make,  and  excellent  too. 
I  will  give  you  the  rest  in  another  letter,  we  are  almost 
at  our  journeys  end,  travelling  and  high  living  agrees 
with  me.  I  have  gained  1 1  pounds  of  flesh  since  I  left 
home — This  is  a  delightful  country  I  am  much  pleased 
with  it.  I  have  written  several  letters  home  and  shall 
expect  shortly  to  hear  from  you,  a  reinforcement  is 
expected  daily  at  the  Islands,12  give  my  love  to  all  who 
inquire  after  me.  May  Heaven  bless  you  all  Fare- 
well— 

Yours  in  the  strong  bonds  of  nature  and  love 

Anna  Maria  Pittman. 


1. — Now  known  as  Kauai.  The  mission  Waimea  was  located  on  this 
island. 

2. — Mr.  Samuel  Whitney  and  wife  embarked  from  Boston  October  23, 
1819,  with  the  first  party  of  missionaries  to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  He 
was  stationed  at  Waimea  July  25,  1820.  Bingham,  A  residence  of  twenty  - 
one  years  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,  table  following  p.  616. 

3. — Brig  Diana. 

153 


4. — For  a  further  description  of  crossing  the  bar  of  the  Columbia  see 
Allen,  Ten  Years  in  Oregon,  51-52. 

5. — Named  for  John  Jacob  Astor,  the  head  of  the  Pacific  Fur  Company, 
under  whose  direction  the  fort  was  established  in  the  spring  of  1811. 

6. — Renamed  Fort  George  in  honor  of  the  British  King,  when  it  came 
into  the  possession  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  in  1813. 

7. — Mr.  John  Dunn.  He  was  one  of  two  young  naval  apprentices  sent 
out  on  the  ship  Ganymede  in  1830.  He  was  in  charge  of  Fort  McLough- 
lin  on  Milbank  Sound  in  1830,  and  later  was  at  Fort  George  on  the  Co- 
lumbia, where  he  remained  until  about  1840.  He  wrote  a  book  on  Ore- 
gon {History  of  the  Oregon  Territory  and  British  North-American  fur 
trade,  etc.,  London,  1844)  made  up  partly  from  his  own  observations  but 
more  largely  from  those  of  others.  Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon,  I,  38. 
He  was  illiberal  to  the  Americans  and  excited  by  the  competition  on  the 
northwest  coast.  Recollections  of  George  R.  Roberts,  5,  MS.  Accord- 
ing to  Allen,  Ten  Years  in  Oregon,  Mr.  Birney  [James  Birnie]  was  the 
man  in  charge  at  Fort  George,  where  the  missionary  party  was  so  hos- 
pitably welcomed  by  its  clerk  and  his  very  pretty  native  wife.  This  is 
probably  an  error.  While  Mr.  Birnie  was  in  charge  at  Fort  George  in 
1836,  he  left  there  January  24,  1837,  to  join  the  eleven  members  of  the 
Willamette  Cattle  Company  who  went  to  California  to  purchase  cattle 
for  the  Oregon  settlers.  The  company  did  not  return  to  Oregon  with  the 
cattle  until  the  fall  of  1837,  (Diary  of  P.  L.  Edwards,  Jan.  14,  1857-Sept. 
8,  1837,  p.  2,  MS.  copy)  so  Mr.  Birnie  could  not  have  been  at  Fort 
George  when  the  missionaries  arrived  there  on  May  13,  1837.  Since  Miss 
Pittman's  letter  is  dated  only  two  days  later,  she  no  doubt  is  correct,  as 
Miss  Allen's  book  was  compiled  long  afterward.  Bancroft  says  James 
Birnie  succeeded  Mr.  Dunn  at  Fort  George,  where  he  remained  for  many 
years.  Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon,  I,  41,  note. 

8. — Headquarters  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  in  Oregon  Territory. 

9. — Dr.  John  McLoughlin,  chief  factor  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company 
at  Fort  Vancouver.  For  an  account  of  his  life  see  Frederick  V.  Holman, 
Dr.  John  McLoughlin,  the  father  of  Oregon,  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Harvey, 
Life  of  John  McLoughlin,  MS. 

10. — Mrs.  McLoughlin  was  the  daughter  of  a  Scotchman  and  an  O jib- 
way  woman.  Her  given  name  was  Margaret.  She  married  Alexander  Mc- 
Kay and  lived  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  Two  children,  a  boy  and  a  girl,  were 
born  to  them.  While  at  Montreal  with  a  fur  brigade,  Alexander  McKay 
met  John  Jacob  Astor  who  made  him  a  partner  in  the  Pacific  Fur  Com- 
pany. He  took  his  son  Thomas  with  him.  Alexander  McKay  was  killed 
by  the  Indians  when  the  Tonquin  was  captured.  Dr.  McLoughlin  married 
his  widow  and  brought  her  to  Oregon  when  he  became  the  chief  factor 
of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  which  had  bought  out  Astor's  Company. 
Eva  Emery  Dye,  McLoughlin  and  old  Oregon,  64-66,  and  Holman,  Dr. 
John  McLoughlin,  the  father  of  Oregon,  24. 

While  Mrs.  McLoughlin  retained  many  of  her  Indian  characteristics, 
nevertheless  Dr.  McLoughlin  "treated  her  like  a  princess."  "In  public  and 
in  private  he  was  a  loyal  husband  to  her  as  if  she  had  been  a  daughter 
of  Queen  Victoria.  In  handing  her  out  to  dinner  he  saw  that  she  was 
assigned  the  place  of  honor;  that  is  to  say  he  would  suffer  no  indignity 

154 


or  slight  to  her.  .  .  .  His  gallantry  to  her  knew  no  bound."  His  fine 
handsome  form,  straight  as  an  arrow  and  well  dressed,  presented  a  strange 
contrast  to  his  half-breed  Indian  wife,  who,  with  her  fat  figure  and  plain 
clothes,  was  quite  lacking  in  womanly  grace.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wilson, 
"Recollections"  in  Oregon  Sketches,   20,  MS. 

11. — Maria  Eloise.  She  is  more  frequently  referred  to  by  the  latter 
name.  She  was  married  to  William  Glen  Rae  at  Fort  Vancouver  in  1838. 
After  the  marriage  Mr.  Rae  was  promoted  from  the  position  of  head 
clerk  at  Fort  Vancouver  to  chief  trader  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 
In  1840  Mr.  Rae,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  the  latter's  brother  John, 
went  to  receive  the  fort  at  the  mouth  of  the  Stikine  River  from  the  Rus- 
sians. The  following  year  Mr.  Rae  was  sent  to  California  to  take  charge 
of  the  Company's  business  in  Yerba  Buena,  now  San  Francisco.  Mrs.  Rae 
joined  him  there  later.  Mr.  Rae  died  by  his  own  hand  January  19,  1845, 
and  the  following  year  his  widow  returned  to  Oregon  with  her  son  and 
two  daughters.  In  1850  Mrs.  Rae  was  united  in  marriage  with  Daniel 
Harvey  who  operated  the  Company's  flour  mill  and  saw  mill  at  Oregon 
City.  Two  sons  and  a  daughter  were  born  to  them.  Later  they  moved  to 
Portland,  where  Mrs.  Rae  died  in  October  1884.  She  was  preceded  in 
death  by  her  husband.  Harvey,  Life  of  John)  McLoughlin,  MS.,  passim; 
Holman,  Dr.  John  McLoughlin,  the  father  of  Oregon,  lA^-l'y;  Ban- 
croft, History  of  Oregon,  I,  36-37;  Bancroft,  History  of  California,  IV, 
593-594;  and  Recollections  of  George  B.  Roberts,  52,  MS. 

12. — See  letter  of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  her  Parents,  Sabbath,  Bos- 
ton, July  17,  1836,  note  8. 


155 


XII 

Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  Her  Parents 

June  5th  1837 — Oregon  Mission  Williamate  R.r — 
My  Dear  Parents 

When  I  last  wrote  you  I  was  at  Vancouver  where 
we  staid  a  week  after  which  we  prepared  for  our  final 
journey  to  our  long  looked  for  home.  On  the  25  of 
May  we  started  in  a  boat  and  three  Canoes.  Capt.  H.1 
and  lady  accompanied  us.  I  went  with  Mr.  J.  L.2  in  his 
canoe,  we  encamped  two  nights  on  shore  having  with  us 
a  tent  and  provision  it  seemed  like  camp  meeting  we 
had  a  delightful  sail,  the  second  day  we  came  to  the 
Falls  in  the  Willimatte  river  I  was  the  first  white  lady 
ever  witnessed  them,  here  was  an  Indian  village  a  poor 
degraded  set  of  beings  inhabit  it  almost  naked,  here  we 
all  landed  our  boats  [and]  baggage  were  carried  on 
shore  a  suitable  distance  above  the  falls,  [from]  which 
we  took  our  boats  and  proceeded  until  we  reached  a 
settlement  1 5  miles  from  the  Mission  where  we  found 
horses  in  readiness  to  carry  us  home,  after  dinner  we 
mounted  our  horses  and  had  a  pleasant  ride  across 
pararies  and  through  groves:  in  about  three  hours  we 
reached  the  spot  where  I  expect  to  end  my  days.  D.  L.3 
was  very  glad  to  see  me.  Mr.  J.  Lee  assisted  us  from 
our  horses  and  conducted  us  to  the  house  where  he  bid 
us  a  hearty  welcome  to  his  humble  cottage,  a  log  house 
with  two  comfortable  rooms  a  kitchen  and  school  room, 
it  is  rough  but  good  enough  for  the  present —  it  is  situ- 
ated near  the  river  fronting  east  a  pleasant  situation,  a 
good  farm  in  order  several  horses  and  cows,  we  were 
furnished  with  an  excellent  supper,  bread  and  butter  of 
their  own  make  tea  dough  nuts  and  strawberries  and 
cream.  We  found  things  in  old  bachelor  style    we  fe- 

156 


males  soon  mad[e]  a  different  appearance  in  the  house, 
on  Sabbath  we  had  meeting  in  the  school  room  it  was 
good  to  hear  a  methodist  sermon  again ;  Mr.  J.  Lee 
preached  is  much  engaged  there  are  several  white  men 
Canadians  who  understand  english  who  attend  preach- 
ing they  have  half  breed  wives  their  children  attend 
the  school,  some  women  come  with  their  babies  in  their 
arms.  Mr.  Lee  has  30  children  to  provide  for  and  has 
them  in  his  house.  We  all  have  our  work  to  do,  the 
present  arrangement  is,  Mrs.  White  and  I  at  the  head 
of  domestic  affairs  Mr.  Shepherd  and  his  intended  as- 
sist us  in  the  care  of  the  children  Miss  Johnson  is  in 
school.  I  feel  as  though  I  had  already  an  important 
charge.  There  are  1 2  members  of  the  mission  family  5 
children  and  occasionally  laborers  hired  by  Mr.  Lee  he 
says  he  feels  now  as  if  he  was  home  with  so  many  fe- 
males around  them,  the  men  seem  much  pleased ;  at 
present  we  are  stowed  close  enough  I  can  assure  you, 
arrangements  are  making  for  building  &  c.  since  we 
have  been  here  we  have  had  seven  sick  children  to  take 
[care]  of,  thev  are  now  almost  well,  a  poor  Indian  was 
brought  he  [re]  the  day  after  we  arrived  for  medical 
aid  who  had  been  shot  while  in  his  wigwam  asleep  by  a 
relative,  he  had  killed  two  others  before,  a  part  of  his 
jaw  and  throat  was  torn  away  wounded  in  the  breast 
and  one  arm  the  bone  of  which  was  broken  to  pieces, 
there  is  hope  of  his  recovery,  poor  fellow  he  is  very 
grateful.  I  trust  this  will  be  for  his  eternal  good,  oh 
what  a  work  there  is  here  to  do  among  these  savages. 
I  accompanied  Mr.  Lee  yesterday  to  see  a  sick  woman 
who  he  baptised  she  is  very  near  death  and  is  afraid  to 
die,  her  husband  is  very  tender  I  have  embraced  this 
opportunity  as  I  do  not  know  when  we  can  send  by  way 
of  the  Islands,    this  will  go  by  way  of  California.  Capt. 

157 


H.  intends  going  there.  I  know  you  are  anxious  to  hear 
from  me  all  that  is  going  on,  but  I  have  this  request  to 
make,  have  none  of  my  letters  published  without  my 
permission —  and  what  I  tell  you  in  confidence  I  hope 
you  will  keep —  you  will  be  anxious  to  know  if  there  is 
any  prospect  of  my  having  a  Protector,  let  me  tell  you 
there  is.  Mr.  J.  Lee  has  broached  the  subj ect,  it  remains 
for  me  to  say  whither  I  shall  be  his  helpmate  in  his 
important  charge;  I  look  unto  the  Lord  who  has  thus 
far  directed  me  in  the  path  of  duty  to  enamble4  me  pray- 
erfully to  investigate  the  subject,  it  requires  serious 
deliberation,  it  is  an  importation5  station  to  fill  I  know 
that  all  eyes  will  be  placed  upon  me  for  an  example,  a 
station  filled  with  cares  such  a  step  I  would  not  dare 
take  without  wisdom  from  above.  I  am  not  in  haste  but 
perhaps  our  present  situation  requires  it —  I  have 
thought  much  on  the  subject,  and  my  own  mind  is 
fixed,  relying  on  the  grace  of  God  which  I  have  proved 
to  be  sufficient  I  expect  to  give  my  heart  and  hand  to 
J.  Lee.  when  this  union  will  take  place  I  am  not  pre- 
pared to  say.  but  probably  soon.  I  would  not  have  told 
[you?]  this  but  not  knowing  when  I  should  have  a 
chance  to  [again]  I  have  thought  proper  to  relieve  your 
minds,  that  you  may  not  think  I  am  alone.  I  am  happy 
here,  though  I  have  not  forgotten  home  and  all  its  en- 
dearments, and  if  I  can  be  useful  here  among  these 
wretched  race  of  Adams  sons  and  daughters  here  I  will 
toil  here  I  will  live  and  die  and  be  buried.  God  is  here, 
and  Heaven  is  as  near  as  at  home  and  I  expect  to  reach 
it  if  faithful  to  God  in  the  discharge  of  my  duty —  oh 
pray  for  your  unworthy  daughter    pray  for  me  more 

than  ever  especially  when  in  the  capacity  of  a 

I  long  to  hear  from  you.  I  want  to  know  where  you 
live  what  you  are  doing,  who  of  the  children  is  married 

158 


and  if  any  have  found  the  pearl  of  great  price  which 
would  afford  me  the  greatest  pleasure —  will  you  not 
write  or  will  you  forget  me  because  I  am  absent.?  oh, 
no  you  will  not,  I  believe  I  am  remembered  in  your 
daily  prayers  and  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  have  such  an 
assurance.  I  feel  the  loss  of  privileges  once  favored  with 
much,  but  I  can  look  to  Jesus  and  commune  with  him 
and  hold  sweet  intercourse  with  the  lost  friend,  blessed 
be  God  there  is  a  reality  in  the  religion  of  the  cross — 
oh  what  unspeakable  pleasure  may  be  derived  in  be- 
lieving with  a  strong  faith  in  God.  much  of  this  I  need 
oh  that  it  may  be  increased  that  my  heart  may  be  filled 
with  the  love  of  God  which  surpasseth  all  human  un- 
derstanding, and  may  you  my  dear  Parents  receive  a 
large  share  of  it. 

I  could  write  much  more  but  time  forbids  my  duties 
call  me  and  I  must  close —  remember  me  to  all  the 
family,  relatives  friends  and  accquaintances  D.  Lee  is 
sitting  by  my  side  cutting  out  a  pair  of  skin  breeches 
and  sends  his  love  to  you.  and  wishes  to  be  remembered 
to  Mr.  Martin's  family  especially  Mary,  poor  fellow  he 
feels  his  disappointment  much.7  Perhaps  I  will  write 
to  Mr.  Martin's  family  in  a  few  days  and  you  will  hear 
more  from  me.  Miss  J.8  says  remember  me  to  the  fam- 
ily and  all  whom  she  had  the  pleasure  of  becoming 
acquainted  with —  and  now  farewell,  may  heaven  bless 
you  and  save  you  with  an  everlasting  salvation  in  that 
better  world. 

I  remain  yours  as  ever 

Anna  Maria  Pittman. 


1. — Captain  Hinckley. 
2. — Mr.  Jason  Lee. 
3. — Daniel  Lee. 
4. — enable. 
5. — important. 


159 


6. — A  blank  in  the  original  letter. 

7. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Missions  held  in  New  York  City 
October  21,  1835,  a  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  Jason  Lee  of  the  Flathead 
Mission  (A  resolution  was  passed  at  this  meeting  requesting  the  Bishops 
to  change  the  name  to  Oregon  Mission.  The  request  seems  to  have  been 
granted,  as  all  later  references  are  to  the  Oregon  Mission)  asking  for 
books  and  additional  missionaries.  It  was  on  motion 

"Resolved  that  the  books  be  granted  and  also,  that  in  the  opinion  of 
this  board  it  is  expedient  to  send  by  way  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  or 
otherwise  by  water,  a  married  missionary  and  likewise  the  young  lady 
spoken  of  by  bro.  Lee,  as  being  affianced  to  Daniel  Lee,  providing  she  is 
willing  to  go."  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15,  1835  to  May  31,  1841, 
p.  9. 

Evidently  the  Board  of  Managers  communicated  the  above  request  to 
the  lady  in  question  and  offered  to  send  her  to  reenforce  the  Oregon 
Mission,  for  at  the  meeting  of  the  Board  on  May  18,  1836,  "Bro.  Merritt 
stated  that  a  letter  had  been  rec'd  from  Miss  Rogers  of  Stansted,  Lower 
Canada,  in  which  she  declined  going  to  the  Oregon  Mission  and  that 
she  had  communicated  her  reasons  to  the  Rev.  Dan  C  Lee."  Ibid.,  31. 

The  Board  of  Managers  seems  to  have  been  touched  by  the  receipt  of 
the  news  regarding  the  health  of  Daniel  Lee  and  his  rather  destitute 
condition.  The  members  probably  felt  that  his  disappointment  at  the  re- 
fusal of  his  affianced  to  go  to  Oregon  would  only  aggravate  his  condi- 
tion, and  so  a  second  offer  to  go  with  the  missionaries  was  made,  as  the 
following  extract  from  its  minutes  shows: 

"Thq  Board  will  recollect  that  Mr.  Daniel  Lee  expected  a  young  lady 
from  Stansted,  Lower  Canada,  would  join  the  Mission  and  proceed  the 
first  opportunity  to  the  Columbia  River.  This  young  lady  having  been 
advised  by  the  Corresponding  Secretary  that  the  ship  'Hamilton'  was 
about  to  sail,  she  has  signified  her  intention  not  to  go  out  with  the  fam- 
ily, and  she  says  that  she  has  so  written  to  Mr.  Lee.  Since  the  receipt 
of  her  declinature,  your  Committee  has  had  an  interview  with  Mrs.  [R. 
M.]  Johnstone  recently  from  the  Sandwich  Islands.  This  lady  left  the 
Island  about  the  middle  of  March.  At  that  period  Mr.  Daniel  Lee  was  at 
Oahu,  having  arrived  from  the  Columbia  River  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health;  that  he  was  well  received  by  the  friends  on  the  Island,  and  that 
his  health  appeared  to  be  much  improved;  that  when  he  arrived  he  ap- 
peared to  be  very  destitute  of  clothing,  etc.,  and  that  a  collection  was 
made  on  the  Island  to  assist  him.  Mrs.  Johnstone  is  the  bearer  of  letters 
from  Mr.  Lee,  one  of  which  is  for  Miss  Elvira  Rogers,  the  lady  of  Stan- 
sted. In  this  interview  with  Mrs.  Johnstone,  your  Committee  was  fully 
satisfied  that  Brother  Daniel  Lee  was  anxiously  awaiting  the  arrival  of 
Miss  Rogers.  They,  therefore,  sent  on  the  letter  for  heri  from  Mr.  L.  and 
accompanied  it  with  one  from  themselves,  stating  to  her  that  the  'Ham- 
ilton' was  about  to  depart,  also  informing  her  that  a  favorable  opportu- 
nity now  presented  itself  and  requesting  her  immediate  answer."  Ibid.,  34. 

Daniel  Lee  himself,  in  a  letter  sent  by  Mrs.  Johnstone,  sought  to  urge 
upon  the  Board  the  advisability  of  including  his  intended  consort,  Miss 
Elvira  Rogers,  with  the  reenforcement.  He  says,  "that  by  all  means  she 

160 


ought  to  accompany  any  person  or  persons  that  the  Board  should  send  to 
our  assistance."  In  order  that  this  young  lady  might  be  supplied  with 
sufficient  funds  for  the  long  journey  to  Oregon,  he  shortly  afterward 
sent  a  draft  on  the  Missionary  Society  in  favor  of  Miss  Rogers  and  at 
the  same  time  begged  leave  to  commend  her  to  its  kind  attention  and 
assistance.  Daniel  Lee  to  Dear  Brother  [probably  Dr.  Nathan  Bangs], 
Honolulu,  Nov.  25,  1835,  and  Honolulu,  Dec.  20,  1835. 
8. — Miss  Elvira  Johnson. 


161 


XIII 

Anna  Maria  Lee  to  Her  Brother  y  George  W.  Pittman 

Oct  26.  1837— 
Mission  House  Willamette 
Dear  Brother  George 

Another  opportunity  presents  itself  for  sending  let- 
ters at  home  which  I  hasten  to  improve — 

When  I  first  took  up  my  pen  I  did  not  know  who 
to  address  myself  too  as  I  have  written  so  recently — 
but  this  occurred  to  me  to  write  to  you  although  you 
have  not  wrote  to  me  at  all.  but  I  must  make  allowances 
for  newly  married  folks,  well  you  are  married  and  I 
am  glad  of  it —  I  hope  you  will  settle  down  now  and 
commence  the  world  anew —  In  your  new  relation  I 
hope  you  will  be  happy  and  never  have  cause  to  regret 
the  step  you  have  taken.  I  do  really  hope  Henrietta1 
will  be  a  helpmate  to  you  in  a  religious  point  of  view 
as  well  as  temporal  and  I  trust  that  ere  now  you  have 
given  your  heart  to  God. 

Now  is  the  time  to  perform  your  vows  to  God.  how 
often  have  you  promised  that  when  you  married  you 
would  become  pious,  oh  let  not  your  best  days  be  spent 
in  vanity,  but  in  the  service  of  your  Creator.  I  have 
often  conversed  with  you  on  this  subject,  perhaps  I 
have  said  enough,  if  you  do  not  improve  it  the  sin  lies 
at  your  own  door  and  I  am  clear — 

In  my  last  communication  which  I  sent  by  way  of 
England  I  have  given  a  history  of  my  marriage  which 
I  refer  to  you  to2  George  I  hope  you  are  as  happy  with 
your  wife  as  I  am  with  my  Husband.  I  should  like  to 
hear  of  Emeline's3  marriage  she  wrote  to  me  of  Mr. 
Frisbees  misfortunes,  I  hope  he  has  again  become  es- 
tablished in  business  and  they  united  in  marriage — 

162 


'  I  have  a  large  family  to  attend  to  the  care  of  which 
comes  upon  me.  I  find  myself  much  engaged  with  do- 
mestic concerns.  I  have  just  been  baking  an  oven  full  of 
pumpkin  pies  and  gingerbread  I  wish  you  had  a  piece 
they  are  good —  we  have  a  good  vegetable  garden,  we. 
cooked  a  beet  that  grew  in  it  that  weighed  1 1  pounds — 
what  do  you  think  of  that?  We  have  but  a  few  young 
apple  trees    we  occasionally  get  some  from  the  Fort — * 

We  are  not  deprived  of  comforts  here  in  this  respect 
but  by  being  industrious  we  may  eat  of  the  good  of  the 
land. 

Beef  is  scarce,  and  all  the  cattle  that  the  settlers  here 
have  used  belong  to  the  Fort  they  would  not  sell  but 
lend  as  many  as  any  person  wished  to  use —  a  cattle 
company  was  established  by  the  people  in  this  vicinity 
in  which  Mr.  Lee  became  a  stockholder  for  the  Mission 
they  were  sent  to  California  and  returned  by  land  with 
700  head  of  cattle —  they  purchased  them  very  low  but 
they  have  had  losses  and  dangers  to  encounter,5  now 
this  people  may  be  independent  in  this  respect —  the 
Company  have  just  returned  and  their  is  business 
enough —  Mr.  Lee  is  a  man  of  business  I  assure  you — 
he  is  pressed  down  with  care,  we  will  have  80  head  of 
cattle —  we  will  have  plenty  of  butter  and  milk  in  fu- 
ture I  expect —  I  have  made  12  pounds  of  butter  a 
week  since  I  have  been  here  but  our  cows  seemed  to 
fail  now.  we  cannot  make  soap  here  on  account  of  not 
having  fat  and  have  been  obliged  to  pay  at  the  Fort  15 
cts  a  pound,  vinegar  12  shillings  a  gallon —  the  best 
loaf  sugar  for  15  cts  a  pound  EngT — ?]  some  things 
may  be  obtained  at  a  moderate  price — money  here  is 
of  no  use.  beaver  skins  is  the  money  here — thev  are 
carried  to  Vancouver  and  sold  for  two  dollars  20  cts 


163 


and  perhaps  at  home  would  bring  10$ —  that  is  the 
way  the  Traders  get  rich 

Really  I  hope  you  will  not  show  this  letter  to  any 
one  but  the  family  as  I  have  written  a  little  of  every- 
thing and  just  what  came  first —  I  have  not  taken  time 
to  mend  my  pen.  I  do  not  know  as  you  will  be  able  to 
read  it  but  I  know  you  will  be  glad  to  get  it.  I  send 
this  by  a  gentleman6  who  crossed  the  Mountains  with 
Mr.  Lee  and  has  resided  there  ever  since —  I  hope  you 
will  all  of  you  improve  every  opportunity  to  write  to 
me  and  your  new  brother —  I  must  hasten  and  con- 
clude it  is  almost  supper  time  and  you  are  fast  asleep 
in  bed  I  suppose —  there  is  almost  five  hours7  differ- 
ence in  the  time —  well  what  more  shall  I  say  than  to 
tell  you  to  be  good,  do  good,  and  get  good.  Give  my 
love  to  Sister  Henrietta  I  wish  she  would  write  to  me 
and  not  forget  to  pray  for  her  absent  Sister —  Remem- 
ber me  to  all  the  family  who  I  think  of  and  dream  of 
often —  May  the  Lord  bless  you  and  prosper  you  and 
give  of  that  better  part  which  shall  never  be  taken  from 
you 

So  prays  your  Sister  in  the  bonds  of  nature  and  love 

Anna  Maria  Lee — 
G.  W.  Pittman. 


Editor's  note. — The  original  manuscript  is  in  the  possession  of  Mrs. 
Walter  Graves,  Arcadia,  California.  This  letter  was  published  in  the 
Pacific  Christian  Advocate,  November  27,  1889,  p.  2. 

1. — Henrietta  Hawley,  whom  he  married  in  New  York  City,  Novem- 
ber 24,  1836.  Marriage  certificate  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman,  Jr., 
MS.,  and  Mrs.  Fred  Anderson  to  the  editor,  Mitchell,  Oregon,  November 
24,  1930.  Mrs.  Anderson  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Graves,  are  granddaughters 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman,  Jr. 

2. — The  letter  referred  to,  which  would  be  a  valuable  one,  has  never 
been  found. 

3. — Harriet  Emeline,  a  sister. 

4. — Fort  Vancouver. 

5. — For  a  more  extended  account  of  the  cattle  company  see  Bancroft, 
History  of  Oregon,  I,  139-151;  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the 

164- 


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world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  21-23;  Gray,  A  history 
of  Oregon,  154-156,  and  Diary  of  P.  L.  Edwards,  MS.  copy. 

6. — On  the  address  side  of  the  letter  appears  the  words  "Favored  by 
Captain  Thing."  This  is  Captain  Joseph  Thing  whom  Nathaniel  J. 
Wyeth  had  engaged  to  accompany  his  second  expedition  to  Oregon.  He 
was  well  versed  in  taking  observations  and  was  placed  second  in  com- 
mand. Mr.  Wyeth  entrusted  to  him  considerable  detail  of  the  preparar 
tion  for  the  expedition  at  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and 
Louisville.  Nathaniel  J.  Wyeth,  "The  correspondence  and  journals  of 
Captain  Nathaniel  J.  Wyeth,  1831,"  Sources  of  the  History  of  Oregon,  I, 
106-107;  113,  114-115;  117;  121;  and  122. 

7. — 3  hours. 


165 


XIV 

A  nna  Maria  Lee  to  Her  Mother 

1838 
Mission  House,  Willamette  March  25 
My  Dear  Mother 

Before  this  time  I  presume  you  have  heard  from  me 
by  way  of  England ;  when  I  then  wrote  I  did  not  think 
the  next  would  be  handed  to  you  by  my  husband1  whom 
you  will  be  surprised  and  gratified  to  see.  I  can  assure 
you  painful  is  the  seperation  after  a  short  union  of  eight 
months  which  has  been  happily  spent  with  each  other. 
To  part  with  friends  is  trying,  this  I  know  from  ex- 
perience, when  I  left  home  and  kindred  with  all  their 
endearments  I  felt  it  to  be  a  sacrifice,  but  what  is  it  in 
comparison  with  a  seperation  from  my  dearest  half 
especially  in  my  present  situation ;  it  is  through  grace 
alone  that  I  am  enabled  to  submit.  I  view  it  as  the  will 
of  God,  and  shall  I  raise  my  feeble  voice  or  lift  my 
puny  arm  against  it?  no,  if  it  is  for  the  promotion  of 
the  cause  of  God,  and  duty  calls  my  beloved  companion 
from  my  embrace  I  cannot  withhold  him  but  bid  him 
go  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  I  flatter  myself  you  will 
receive  your  Son  with  pleasure. 

Before  you  receive  this  if  my  life  is  spared  I  shall 
have  become  a  mother;  and  you  my  mother  can  realise 
my  feeling  when  I  look  forward  to  that  hour  when  I 
shall  give  birth  to  the  first  fruit  of  our  union.  To  be 
seperated  from  him  at  that  time  trembling  nature  seems 
almost  to  shrink;  but  He  who  was  with  me  on  the  bois- 
terous deep  is  still  and  will  be  with  me,  and  I  take 
courage  and  put  my  trust  in  God,  feeling  assured  that 
the  sacrifices  made  for  the  cause  of  Christ  will  greatly 
enhance  our  happiness  in  that  better  world  where  I 

166 


expect  to  hail  you  and  many  of  those  with  whom  I  have 
taken  sweet  counsel.  If  I  cleave  unto  the  Lord  I  shall 
be  secure  and  will  receive  that  support  I  shall  need  in 
every  trial.  At  present  I  am  graciously  supported  and 
while  I  have  the  consolations  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the 
presence  of  God  all  will  be  well  with  me  while  I  walk 
in  the  path  of  duty  and  bow  in  humble  submission  to 
the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father,  then  I  can  hail  pain, 
affliction,  sorrow  and  death  with  pleasure. 

I  shall  rejoice  to  see  you  all  again  but  do  not  expect 
to  on  the  shores  of  time,  here  will  this  prison  house  of 
clay  totter  and  fall  and  find  a  resting  place.  I  have 
nothing  special  to  write.  Mr.  Lee  will  communicate  to 
you  all  the  inteligence  you  wish.  I  hope  you  do  not  feel 
too  anxious  about  me,  I  have  much  to  make  me  com- 
fortable here;  more  than  ever  I  expected. 

I  am  far  removed  from  you  but  have  not  forgotten 
you  and  do  not  cease  to  pray  for  you;  I  hope  you  my 
dear  father  and  mother  are  still  walking  hand  in  hand 
helpers  to  each  other  to  the  haven  of  eternal  repose, 
there  may  we  meet  and  may  you  be  enabled  to  say 
"here  am  I  and  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me. 

Last  fall  I  wrote  to  George2  and  Mrs.  Whitfield3  by 
way  of  the  Islands  I  think  you  will  receive  this  first. 
I  should  like  to  hear  from  you  oftener,  I  hope  you  will 
improve  every  opportunity;  to  write  to  her  who  is  far 
away  from  all  her  kindred  dear.  I  shall  trouble  you  to 
purchase  some  articles  for  me  of  which  I  will  give  you 
a  list.  I  wrote  you  once  to  send  my  bed  quilts  and  have 
them  quilted  that  are  not  and  send  me  whatever  else 
you  please.  I  have  a  good  feather  bed  made  of  two 
single  ones  an  old  bachelors  and  an  old  maids.  You  may 
jog  Mrs.  Martins4  memory  for  a  pair  of  fine  linen 
pillow  cases  she  promised  me  when  I  should  get  mar- 

167 


ried,  and  also  yours  for  the  linen  sheets  and  coarse 
brown  towels.  I  am  weary  and  cannot  write  much  more. 
I  must  write  a  few  lines  to  Elisa —  Remember  me  af- 
fectionately to  all  my  friends  and  tell  them  to  write  to 
me.  May  Heaven  bless  and  prosper  you.  I  trust  you 
still  continue  to  pray  for  me.  I  find  comfort  in  thinking 
that  you  do  pray  for  me — . 

In  haste  and  much  love  I 
remain  yours  as  ever 

Anna  Maria  Lee. 
Mrs.  Mary  Pittman. 

1. — Rev.  Jason  Lee  left  on  March  26,  1838,  for  the  United  States.  It 
was  unanimously  agreed  that  Mr.  Lee  should  make  this  trip  "for  the 
purpose  of  representing  before  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  the  public  generally,  the 
true  condition  of  the  country,  and  of  the  Indians,  and  soliciting  the  men 
and  means  which,  in  their  judgment,  were  necessary,  for  the  successful 
prosecution  of  the  missionary  work."  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  Voyage 
round  the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  29-30. 

Monday  26th  March  1838 

"A  majority  of  the  members  of  this  Mission  deeming  it  expedient  for 
the  Superintendent  of  the  Mission  to  visit  the  U.  S.  and  represent  per- 
sonally to  the  board  of  managers  of  the  M.  S.  M.  E.  C. — the  situation  of 
the  country  and  Indians  inhabita/ing  it  and  it  appearing  to  him  to  be 
duty,  he  has  taken  leave  of  his  Companion  and  set  out  for  Vancouver 
accompanied  by  Br.  Edwards  and  two  of  our  Indian  boys — Wra.  Brooks 
and  Thos.  Adams — It  is  trudy  affecting  thus  to  part  with  our  dear  Breth- 
ern  who  are  about  to  commence  a  most  hazardous  journey  across  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  May  the  God  of  Israel  be  their  rock  and  defence." 
"Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical 
Society,  XXIII,  259. 

2. — See  preceding  letter. 

3. — Probably  a  close  friend. 

4. — Very  likely  Mrs.  H.  Martin,  whom  she  addresses  as  sister,  in  a 
letter  written  to  her  from  Honolulu,  December  28,  1836,  and  published 
in  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  July  7,  1837.  Mrs.  Martin  was 
not  an  own  sister  of  Anna  Maria  Lee,  but  they  were  probably  sisters  in 
the  church  work,  hence  the  reason  for  addressing  her  as  such. 


168 


XV 

Anna  Maria  Lee  to  Her  Husband }  Jason  Lee 

Mission  House  March  28,  1838 
My  Dear  Husband 

Our  prayer  meetings  had  just  closed  last  evening 
when  a  letter  was  handed  to  me  from  you,  which  I  re- 
ceived with  joy  and  hastened  to  peruse  the  contents. 
About  a  half  an  hour  after  you  left  me  I  brushed  up 
arose  from  my  bed  went  out  and  prepared  dinner  and 
only  three  set  down  to  eat,  it  was  lonely.  I  afterwards 
went  to  work,  and  cleared  up  my  bedroom ;  felt  cheer- 
ful waited  tea  for  Mr.  Shepard.  he  did  not  come,  had 
a  row  in  the  kitchen  between  a  Kanaka  and  an  Indian, 
we  had  no  man  about  the  premises ;  I  felt  calm  and 
stept  out  and  took  the  Indians  gun  into  my  possession 
while  they  were  agreeing  to  fight  each  other  on  the 
morrow.  Mr  W1  soon  came  in  and  settled  the  affair ; 
we  took  tea  without  Mr.  S.  after  supper  threw  myself 
on  the  bed,  was  so  restless,  arose  took  a  glass  of  wine, 
commended  you  and  myself  to  God,  went  to  bed,  soon 
fell  asleep  j  I  awoke  very  early  in  the  morning  lay 
awake  a  long  time  thinking  about  youj  felt  happy  and 
wanted  to  sing,  but  was  afraid  of  waking  my  neighbours 
When  I  arose  found  myself  in  good  spirits  had  sweet 
to  the  the  throne  of  grace,  while  commending  you  you 
to  God —  through  the  day  found  myself  in  pain  of 
body,  but  peace  of  ,mind —  I  am  astonished  at  the  seren- 
ity of  soul  I  enjoy,  mature  [nature]  feels,  but  grace 
supports,  sometimes  I  indulge  poor  nature,  but  dare 
not  allow  her  much,  lest  she  should  get  the  advantage 
of  me.  I  find  my  spirit  stronger  than  my  body.  Oh  my 
dear,  help  me  to  praise  God,  who  so  graciously  sup- 
ports me,    under  the  shadow  of  his  wing  I  have  taken 

169 


refuge,  and  there  will  I  abide,  and  there  I  know  you 
repose,  glory  be  to  God  for  the  consolations  of  his 
spirit  ;  in  him  I  put  my  trust,  and  hang  upon  his 
word. 

The  fondness  of  a  creatures  love 
How  strong  ft  strikes  the  sence." 

Truly  I  know  this  experimentally,  I  find  my  affec- 
tions twining  closer  and  closer  about  you;  when  [God?] 
gave  you  to  me  I  received  a  precious  gift,  which  I  trust 
I  shall  ever  be  worthy  of.  I  am  happy  and  wish  you  to 
think  me  so.  I  rejoice  that  our  spirits  can  meet  before 
the  mercy  seat;  continue  my  dear  to  meet  me  there, 
morning  and  evening.  As  I  retired  on  monday  night  I 
thought,  Husband  is  not  here  to  lie  down  with  me.  but 
it  immediately  occured  to  me,  God  is  here,  and  if  I 
have  his  presence,  and  protection  it  will  be  well  with 
me.  If  our  lives  are  spared,  how  happy  shall  we  be  to 
embrace  each  other  on  your  return;  but  if  it  is  other- 
wise determined  by  our  heavenly  Father,  I  trust  our 
ransomed  spirits  shall  meet  in  that  better  world  I  have 
written  you  a  letter  of  considerable  length,  I  must  close 
and  may  He  who  in  mercy  afflicts  me,  give  you  health 
and  strength  to  perform  your  journey;  be  Careful  of 
yourself  for  the  sake  of  her  who  loves  you —  write  to 
me  again,  it  will  be  a  great  comfort  to  me —  Elvira2  is 
here  God  bless  you,  Farewell —  In  the  closest  union 
and  bonds  of  love.  I  remain  your  affectionate  wife 
untile  death. 

Anna  Maria. 
Jason  Lee. 

1.— Probably  Mr.  Willson. 
2. — Elvira  Johnson  Perkins. 

170 


XVI 

Anna  M.  Lee  to  Her  Husband,  Jason  Lee 

Mission  House  April  6th  1838 
My  Dear  Husband 

I  have  taken  up  my  pen  to  answer  yours  received 
by  Mr.  McKay1  and  Beers;2  if  I  had  time  I  should  like 
to  have  written  by  Mr.  K.  but  he  was  here  on  Sunday 
and  a  company  of  five  with  him,  so  that  I  was  much 
engaged  in  getting  supper  for  them :  but  you  have  heard 
from  me  by  Johnson  — .  Could  you  but  know  what 
comfort  your  communications  yield  to  my  lonely  heart, 
you  would  not  think  them  frequent;  they  are  a  pre- 
cious balm —  I  am  now  waiting  the  reception  of  an- 
other. I  still  feel  cheerful,  sometimes  lonely  especially 
when  obliged  to  lie  down  in  pain,  then  I  feel  the  loss 
of  the  dearest  half,  though  weeping  endures  for  a  sea- 
son joy  returns  again —  as  yet  I  have  been  out  but  once 
since  you  left,  then  I  took  tea  with  Mrs.  Leslie3  friends 
call  and  see  me,  some  seem  surprised  at  my  cheerful- 
ness. The  Dr.4  informs  me  that  I  may  hold  myself 
ready  before  my  time,  my  being  in  so  much  pain,  he 
thinks  will  forward  the  business. —  What  do  you  think? 
Elvira  is  a  care  too,  you  will  have  a  young  army  to 
greet  on  your  return.5  We  had  heard  of  the  scrape  be- 
tween the  Dr.  and  B.6  but  did  not  credit  it,  until  I  re- 
ceived yours;  I  presume  Mr.  B.  forgot  the  admonition 
given  in  holy  writ,  whosoever  shall  smite  thee  on  thy 
right  cheek  turn  to  him  the  other  also."7  but  from  the 
opinion  I  have  formed  of  the  reverend  divine,  I  should 
expect  nothing  else,  oh  what  an  example  for  a  professed 
christian  minister.  I  think  the  sooner  he  goes,  and  the 
longer  he  stays,  to  England,  the  better —  Thus  far  we 
have  got  along  very  pleasantly;   Father  Whitcombe8 

171 


takes  care  of  me,  and  I  take  care  of  him,  we  get  along 
without  pulling  each  others  hair,  he  finds  enough  to 
do:  our  boarders  have  not  left  us  yet.  If  I  were  like  a 
little  bird,  I  should  be  most  happy  to  fly  to  you,  and 
secretly  take  peep  at  you,  and  then  fly  off  again.  I 
would  not  have  to  speek.  you  say  were  it  not  for  the 
pain  of  parting  you  would  see  me  again,  but  I  think  I 
could  hardly  endure  it;  Mr.  W.9  says  if  you  was  to 
come  back  again  before  you  leave,  he  would  hide  away, 
for  my  part  I  wish  you  was  on  your  journey,  for  the 
longer  you  stop  so  much  the  longer  it  will  be  before 
you  return;10  perhaps  it  is  all  for  the  best,  we  must 
submit:  all  I  ask  is  your  safe  return,  when  your  work 
is  accomplished,  oh  my  dear,  if  we  never  meet  again  on 
earth,  how  pleasing  it  will  be,  even  in  eternity,  to  re- 
flect on  the  pleasant  life  we  have  led  since  we  became 
one;  yes  I  now  look  upon  the  past  with  delight,  and  I 
feel  confident  if  we  are  spared,  we  will  continue  happy 
in  each  other,  You  wrote  respecting  Victoire —  I  have 
not  seen  her;  I  think  upon  the  whole  it  will  be  best  to 
take  Margaret,  and  shall  send  for  her  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. You  say  your  health  is  as  usual,  I  wish  it  was 
better.  I  know  not  how  you  will  perform  your  journey 
unless  it  improves.  I  often  at  midnight  fancy  you  sleep- 
ing on  the  cold,  hard,  ground,  while  I  have  so  good  a 
bed  to  lie  on  and  surrounded  by  so  many  comforts 
April  7 — since  I  wrote  the  above,  I  have  received  yours 
by  Johnson,  it  gave  me  much  pleasure  I  suppose  at 
this  date  you  are  with  Daniel,11  but  before  you  receive 
this  vou  will  be  fafrjther  off.  Your  last  found  me  on 
the  bed,  but  cheerfull  and  health  as  usual —  I  feel 
happy  in  knowing  I  have  such  a  friend  in  God  who  thus 
sustains,  and  comforts  me;  under  existing  circumstances, 
were  I  destitute  of  his  friendship,  I  should  be  wrentched 

172 


indeed  j  my  confidence  in  God  is  unshaken,  and  I  think 
my  faith  has  a  firm  grasp  on  his  immutable  promises ; 
they  are  mine,  all  I  have  to  do,  is  to  claim  them,  and 
though  I  pass  through  the  fiery  furnace,  I  feel  that  the 
[firm  faith?]  like  unto  the  son  of  man,  will  be  with 
me:  my  mind  seems  to  be  gradually  preparing  for  what 
I  must  pass  through,  and  I  feel  to  welcome  whatever 
the  Lord  sees  fit  to  call  me  to,  even  if  it  be  unto  death ; 
I  trust  I  shall  be  enabled  to  say  "Thy  will  be  done,12 
It  is  my  constant  aim  as  the  trying  hour  approaches,  to 
keep  Mary's  seat,  at  the  feet  of  Jesus  5  I  find  it  the  best 
place  for  me —  Blessed  be  God  for  the  happiness  it  is 
our  privilege  to  enjoy,  even  in  the  hour  of  affliction, 

and  keenest  trials In  the  course  of  my  religious 

experience,  I  have  ever  found  that  in  the  severest  trials, 
the  Lord  seems  to  bestow  the  most  grace ;  so  that  the 
mountain  becomes  a  plain  and  even  to  the  faithful  soul, 
when  passing  through  the  valley,  and  shadow  of  death, 
it  has  become  a  pleasant  field,  and  in  the  agonies  of  ex- 
piring return,  they  have  been  constrained  to  shout  for 
joy —  oh  my  dear  husband,  is  it  not  encouraging  to 
know  that  this  too  may  be  our  happy  privilege —  let  us 
not  fear  then,  but  walk  in  the  path  of  duty  and  do  and 
suffer  the  will  of  your  heavenly  father —  I  am  in  much 
pain  while  I  write,  but  the  subject  is  pleasing  to  me; 
and  my  mind  is  in  a  comfortable  frame —  I  cannot  sit 
long  at  a  time  to  write  —  the  last  I  wrote  you  was  part 
of  the  time  on  the  bed —  It  is  Saturday  and  I  must  now 
see  to  my  bread —  April  8  It  is  now  Sabbath,  and  a 
pleasant  day,  our  meeting  is  just  out.  Brother  Leslie 
preached  from  3  Coll.  3413  to  a  respectable  number; 
next  Sabbath  we  will  have  no  preaching  he  is  going  to 
the  fort  to  see  Miss  S. —  Nature  has  put  on  her  beauti- 
ful attire,  and  conspires  to  make  all  around  us  pleas- 

173 


ant —  I  sometimes  wish  Husband  was  with  me  to  walk 
out,  and  enjoy  its  sweets — but  I  walk  no  where  but  in 
the  garden —  Really  I  must  compliment  you  on  your 
poetic  effusions  I  think  you  must  have  met  your  muse, 
she  was  very  generous  to  assist  you  so  much —  I  have 
showed  it  to  some  of  those  to  whom  it  was  addressed ; 
and  they  have  requested  a  copy — you  have  done  well — 
Mr  Shepard  has  a  lengthy  peice  written  for  you,  I  do 
not  know  whither  he  will  send  it —  It  is  one  year  since 
we  sailed  from  Oahuj  strange  things  have  taken  place 
in  that  time —  Wensday  April  1 1  Tomorrow  Bro. 
Leslie  leaves  here  for  Vancouver  when  he  returns  I 
shall  look  for  another  letter  from  you —  I  hope  you 
will  write  every  opportunity —  I  wish  you  could  hear 
from  me  oftener  but  I  know  not  when  you  will  hear 
again —  this  leaves  me  in  health  as  usual —  I  think  I 
feel  better  in  mind  than  when  you  was  at  Umlequa — 14 
then  I  was  taking  trouble  at  interest —  Things  more  as 
usual —  I  am  keeping  an  every  day  journal  for  Mica. 
I  must  now  close — 1  have  written  you  a  long  letter — I 
would  now  commend  you  to  God,  and  may  you  be  pre- 
served soul,  and  body;  may  you  enjoy  much  of  the 
consolations  of  the  spirit,  and  experience  much  of  the 
presence  of  God.  Farewell  my  dear  Husband,  believe 
me  ever  to  be  yours  in  the  strongest  bonds  of  love,  and 
increasing  affection — 

Anna  M.  Lee  — 
Jason  Lee  — 

1. — Probably  Thomas  McKay. 

2. — Alanson  Beers,  the  blacksmith  of  the  mission. 

3. — The  wife  of  Rev.  David  Leslie  who  arrived  with  the  second  mis- 
sionary reenforcement  in  September,  1837. 

4.— Dr.  Elijah  White. 

5. — A  son  was  born  to  Mrs.  Elvira  Perkins  in  the  fall  of  1838.  Ban- 
croft, History  of  Oregon,  I,  179,  note. 

6. — B  refers  to  Rev.  Herbert  Beaver,  who,  accompanied  by  his  wife, 

174 


came  as  a  chaplain  to  Fort  Vancouver  in  1836.  He  was  of  the  fox-hunt- 
ing type  of  English  clergyman  who  felt  himself  far  superior  to  the  gen- 
tlemen of  Fort  Vancouver,  and  was  loath  to  associate  with  them.  He  ob- 
jected to  the  domestic  relations  of  the  men,  and  found  many  things  wrong 
with  the  practices  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  All  this  he  reported 
to  the  Aborgines  Protection  Society  at  London.  At  the  same  time  he  com- 
plained to  it  that  his  attempts  to  civilize  and  Christianize  the  neighboring 
Indian  tribes  had  not  been  successful  because  the  company  had  not  given 
him  any  assistance.  Mrs.  Beaver  only  added  to  the  strained  relations  ex- 
isting between  her  husband  and  the  people  at  the  fort  by  holding  herself 
scornfully  aloof  from  all  who  resided  there. 

Rev.  Beaver  was  required  to  send  a  written  report  to  the  London  Coun- 
cil, which  he  had  to  place  in  the  hands  of  the  chief  factor  of  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company  before  sending.  The  contents  of  one  of  these  reports 
so  incensed  Dr.  McLoughlin  that  the  next  time  he  met  Rev.  Beaver  in 
the  yard  of  the  fort  he  demanded  an  explanation.  In  reply  the  chaplain 
said,  "Sir,  if  you  wish  to  know  why  a  cow's  tail  grows  downward,  I  can- 
not tell  you;  I  can  only  cite  the  fact." 

Instantly  McLoughlin's  cane  was  raised  and  before  he  was  scarcely 
aware  of  it  he  had  struck  the  impudent  clergyman  severely  upon  the 
shoulders.  The  latter  at  once  shouted  to  his  wife  to  bring  his  pistols, 
but  upon  further  reflection  he  decided  not  to  kill  the  doctor  just  then. 

The  following  day  an  auction  sale  was  held  at  the  fort,  and  the 
kindly  Dr.  McLoughlin  took  advantage  of  this  opportunity  to  do  pen- 
ance. Before  the  assembled  crowd  he  stepped  up  to  the  chaplain  and 
said,  "Mr.  Beaver,  I  make  this  public  apology  for  the  indignity  I  laid 
upon  you  yesterday."  "Sir,  I  will  not  accept  your  apology,"  exclaimed 
the  chaplain,  at  the  same  time  turning  upon  his  heel.  This  incident 
hastened  Rev.  Beaver's  return  to  England  in  1838.  No  more  chaplains 
were  sent  out  by  the  company  to  Fort  Vancouver.  Bancroft,  History  of 
Oregon,  I,  50-53. 

7. — Matthew  5:19. 

8. — Refers  to  J.  L.  Whitcomb  from  Honolulu  who  was  second  officer 
on  the  Diana.  He  accompanied  the  first  missionary  reenforcement  to  the 
mission.  He  seems  to  have  become  superintendent  of  the  mission  farms 
and  is  spoken  of  as  a  worthy  man.  He  married  the  widow  of  Cyrus 
Shepard  and,  broken  in  health,  left  the  mission  with  his  family  in  1842. 
Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  he  passed  away. 

9.— Very  likely  Mr.'Willson. 

10. — Probably  refers  to  the  fact  that  Rev.  Jason  Lee  arrived  at  Van- 
couver earlier  than  necessary,  and  found  that  there  was  a  mistake  about 
the  time  of  the  party  starting  for  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Had  he  left  the 
mission  two  weeks  later  he  would  have  been  in  time.  Consequently,  he 
would  have  had  time  to  return  to  the  Willamette  Mission  for  a  short 
visit.  "Diary  of  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical 
Society,  XVII,  416. 

11. — Rev.  Jason  Lee  stopped  at  Wascopum  April  7-9,  1838,  where 
Rev.  Daniel  Lee  and  Rev.  H.  K.  W.  Perkins  were  busy  preparing 
timber  for  a  house.  A  new  mission  station  was  established  at  that  place. 

12. — From  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

175 


13. — Evidently  an  error,  as  the  third  chapter  of  Colassians  does  not 
have  34  verses. 

14. — Umpqua.  Rev.  Jason  Lee  set  out  for  the  Umpqua  region  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1838,  to  visit  the  tribe  of  Indians  by  that  name  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining  their  number  and  situation.  This  season  of  the  year 
was  a  bad  time  for  exploring  on  account  of  the  great  amount  of  water 
everywhere.  Consequently,  Mr.  Lee  had  to  depend  largely  for  his  in- 
formation upon  the  few  Indians  whom  he  met  on  the  way  and  a  French- 
man, who  had  charge  of  a  Hudson's  Bay  Company  trading  post  on  the 
Umpqua  River.  Mr.  Lee  felt  that  a  mission  station  should  be  established 
among  the  Umpqua  Indians,  should  reenforcements  come  to  the  mis- 
sion. This  exploring  expedition  lasted  23  days,  and  he  returned  in  im- 
proved health,  despite  the  difficulties  and  exposure  encountered.  Rev. 
Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon 
Mission,  93,  and  "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society,  XVII,  463-464. 


176 


XVII 

Anna  M.  Lee  to  Her  Husband,  Jason  Lee 

Mission  House  April  14.  1838 — 
My  Dear  Husband 

Though  weary  with  the  labours  of  the  day,  (it  being 
a  buisy  day)  I  do  not  design  closing  my  eyes  to  sleep 
to  night,  without  assuring  you  of  the  joy  I  experienced, 
in  the  reception  of  two  letters  from  you  to  day  by 
M.  P.1  it  was  rather  unexpected,  and  so  much  the  more 
welcome  j  accompanying  yours,  was  one  from  Mr. 
Douglas,2  and  one  from  Mrs.  Spalding,3  what  a  treat! 
and  with  them  your  watch,  wich  I  highly  prise,  as  we 
have  no  other  about  the  premises,  I  shall  take  good  care 
of  it.  I  have  been  home  this  morning  but  a  short  time 
from  Mrs.  Leslies,  where  I  had  been  to  spend  the 
night,  when  the  paccage  came:  I  can  assure  you  my 
work  was  soon  put  aside  until  I  knew  what  the  contents 
of  yours  were,  which  were  eagerly  devoured. —  before 
you  receive  this,  I  presume  you  will  receive  a  long  let- 
ter from  me,  but  that  will  not  make  this  less  welcome: 
really  I  did  not  think  an  opportunity  would  be  pre- 
sented so  soon  of  writing  to  you:  I  thought  I  had  writ- 
ten to  you  the  last,  for  a  long  time  I  should  be  glad 
to  have  them  as  frequent,  all  your  journey  through,  it 
would  seem  to  shorten  the  time,  and  lessen  the  anxiety 
of  each  breast:  every  additional  one  from  you,  is  but 
a  new  token  of  affection,  and  an  evidence  to  me,  that 
duty  alone  has  called  you  from  me,  at  this  time  espe- 
cially: no  my  dear,  I  cannot  persuade  myself  to  think 
that  any  other  motive  would  induce  you  to  leave  your 
post —  April  15  It  is  now  Sabbath  and  I  have  arisen 
from  my  bed  after  an  almost  sleepless  night —  It  was 
not  anxiety  for  you,  or  self,  that  kept  me  awake,  for 

177 


that  anxiety  is  in  a  measure  removed  since  I  have  given 
you  to  the  Lord,  yes  my  Dear  we  have  him  and  He 
will  keep  us  both,  whether  present  or  absent  from  each 
other;  "I  will  trust  in  him  and  not  be  afraid,  for  the 
Lord  Jehovah  is  my  strength,  and  my  song,  and  my 
salvation."4  To  day  I  have  [been]  too  unwell  to  be  in 
meeting,  but  while  I  have  been  upon  my  bed,  I  have 
all  the  exercises  of  the  morning,  and  my  heart  has  been 
warmed —  Mr  —  P.5  has  preached  an  excellent  sermon, 
watered  with  tears,  he  seems  to  enjoy  himself  much,  I 
trust  he  will  yet  be  made  a  useful  laborer  in  the  field; 
every  member  was  present  to  day  that  is  here.  I  wish 
you  could  see  Mr.  Douglas's  letter,  you  are  the  whole 
subject,  he  says  I  may  readily  descover  the  cause;  that 
produces  the  effect',  if  he  had  not  known  you,  he  would 
have  thought  you  was  in  love;  he  has  written  me  a  very 
pretty,  and  respectful  letter;  I  think  he  is  rather  mis- 
chevious.  You  ask  if  I  do  not  think  that  we  would  be 
entitled  to  the  leg  of  bacon  if  we  were  in  England.6  I 
think  so  and  would  venture  to  try  it.  for  a  number  of 
years,  yes  even  through  life. —  I  used  to  sing,  of  the 
blessings  of  Celibacy  I  have  turned  my  song  to,  oh  the 
happiness  of  Matrimony  \  I  believe  I  have  the  right 
oney  and  he  selected,  and  given  me  by  my  Heavenly 
Father —  I  find  the  old  saying  in  our  case  is  not  true, 
"out  of  sight  out  of  mind."  I  know  that  the  heart  that 
truly  loves,  never  forgets  and  absence  only  tends  to  in- 
crease affection  between  two  hearts  that  beat  in  unison, 
as  thine  and  mine.  I  thank  you  for  your  candour  in 
showing  me  wherein  I  lack,  and  hope  to  improve;  I 
know  and  feel  that  I  have  many  imperfections.  You 
ask  too  what  shall  be  said  of  those  who  have  a  good 
wife?  I  will  answer  you  from  Solomon's  opinion,  The 
heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her,  and  she 

178 


will  do  him  good,  and  not  evil,  all  the  days  of  her 
life.7  I  think  he  gives  her  a  lovely  character.  Well,  as 
it  respects  my  health  it  is  about  the  same;  I  do  not  feel 
in  my  heart  to  murmur,  but  am  endeavoring  to  wait 
patiently  the  time,  when  the  cause  will  be  removed.  I 
wrote  you  in  my  last,  what  the  Doctor's  opinion  was,  I 
think  the  time  is  past,  and  I  shall  go  on  to  the  proper 
time.  I  should  like  to  know  where  you  will  be  about 
the  middle  of  June,  you  may  guess  where  your  other 
self  will  be.  I  frequently  fancy  you  are  near  me,  and 
almost  hear  your  foot  step,  and  hand  upon  the  latch  of 
the  door,  but  alas,  it  is  a  dream  5  I  often  look  around 
the  room  where  we  have  spent  so  many  pleasant  hours 
together,  where  we  have  bowed  knee  in  suplication  to- 
gether, but  he  who  was  wont  to  be  with  me,  is  not  here 
in  body  but  I  expect  is  present  in  spirit.  There  are  many 
things  in  our  little  appartment  to  remind  me  of  you, 
but  they  only  say  he  is  gone  your  old  chair  is  where  it 
used  to  be,  when  you  sat  in  it  to  write,  it  is  the  seat  I 
ocupy  this  moment:  your  white  hat  hangs  just  where 
you  left  it,  to  wait  the  return  of  the  head  it  formerly 
crowned j  your  comb  hangs  just  where  you  left  it  and 
likely  to  remain  there;  even  your  old  shoes  remain  on 
the  shelf  in  silence,  waiting  with  patience  the  return  of 
the  wearer.  Well  I  have  spent  time  enough  I  believe 
in  giving  you  a  description  of  things  around  me — and 
these  things  make  me  feel  a  void  in  this  lone  bosom, 
which  no  other  earthly  object  can  fill.  But  my  dear 
there  is  a  sourse  of  consolation,  which  nothing  can  de- 
prive me  of  I  feel  that  I  [am]  now  writing  the  last 
time,  must  this  privilege  at  last  be  denied  me?  well  it 
must  be  so  and  I  feel  grateful  for  the  privilege  I  have 
enjoyed  it  has  exceeded  my  expectations,  and  I  have 
enjoyed  it  very  much.  It  is  time  for  me  to  close    the 

179 


sabbath  is  closing  and  I  feel  much  better  than  I  did  in 
the  morning.  I  hope  this  will  find  you  in  good  spirits, 
and  improved  health.  Susan8  wishes  to  be  remembered 
to  you.  If  you  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Mrs.  Whit- 
man9 or  Spalding,10  I  wish  you  to  remember  me  to 
them  and  thank  them  for  their  kind  favours,  and  tell 
them  I  shall  write  to  them  the  first  convenient  oppor- 
tunitv —  And  now  I  have  nothing  more  to  say  or  do  but 
commend  you  to  my  God,  and  your  God.  humbly  pray- 
ing that  he  will  keep  your  mind  in  peace,  and  cause  you 
constantly  to  rejoice  in  his  love,  and  goodness.  Pray 
for  me,  I  seem  to  feel  that  our  prayers  do  arise  to- 
gether, for  each  other,  daily  before  the  mercy  seat — 
Well  I  have  almost  written  the  last  line —  Farewell  my 
husband,  God  bless  you,  and  return  you  to  my  embrace 
again,  after  a  speedy  journey — until  then  I  shall  en- 
deavour patiently  to  wait.  I  remain  your  affectionate 
wife,  in  the  strongest  bonds  of  increasing  love  while  life 
remains, 

Anna  M.  Lee. 


1. — Probably  refers  to  Rev.  H.  K.  W.  Perkins  who  left  the  newly 
established  mission  at  Wascopum  on  April  10,  1838,  for  the  Willamette 
Mission  in  order  to  take  his  wife  to  the  new  mission.  She  had  remained 
at  the  old  mission  while  the  buildings  were  being  erected  at  the  new 
one.  Jason  Lee  wrote  to  his  wife  and  others  while  stopping  at  Wascopum. 
"Diary  of  Jason  Lee,"  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society, 
XVII,  417. 

2. — Probably  James  Douglas,  assistant  to  Dr.  John  McLoughlin  at 
Fort  Vancouver,  Holman,  Dr.  John  McLoughlin,  the  father  of  Oregon,  39. 

3. — The  wife  of  Rev.  H.  H.  Spalding,  who  had  charge  of  the  mission 
at  Lapwai  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions. 

4. — Isaiah  12:2. 

5.— Rev.  H.  K.  W.  Perkins. 

6. — This  refers  to  the  Dunmow  flitch  of  bacon  which  is  awarded  to 
any  married  pair  who  could  take  oath  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  of 
their  married  life  that  there  had  not  only  been  no  jar  or  quarrel,  but 
that  neither  had  ever  wished  the  knot  untied.  The  custom  was  originated 
in  Great  Dunmow,  England,  by  Robert  Fitzwalter,  in  1244.  The  flitch 
of  bacon  was  claimed   as  late  as    1876.   Great  Dunmow  is   a  town  in 

180 


LETTER  OF  ANNA  MARIA  LEE 
Original  in  possession  of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Quinlan 


//, 


/ 


^^4 


£ 


A  £t 


<*ts  &ts  t&av**    or 


/ 


fj.        f^     -   ...     :/-■**  A   *****<*?   «<M«M&*«l!     *£*», 


~A     «,-'s      <•«.#> 


&»•">*<*..  -     4>oa^uet-    <*-*C| 


Essex,  England,  situated  on  the  Chelmer,  31  miles  northeast  of  London. 
The  Century  Cyclopedia  of  Names. 

The  custom  evidently  continued  after  1876,  for  it  has  been  recently 
revived,  after  being  discontinued  during  the  World  War  and  the  years 
following.  On  August  4,  1931,  the  traditional  flitch  of  Dunmow  bacon 
was  awarded  to  three  couples.  They  had  successfully  convinced  a  jury  of 
six  bachelors  and  six  maids  that  they  had  been  happily  married  for  a 
year  and  a  day.  The  Christian  Science  Monitor,  August  5,  1931,  p.  5. 

7. — "The  heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her  so  that  he 
shall  have  no  need  of  spoil.  She  will  do  him  good  and  not  evil  all  the 
days  of  her  life."  Proverbs  31:11,  12. 

8. — Refers  to  Susan  Downing,  who  married  Cyrus  Shepard  on  the 
same  day  as  Anna  Maria  Pittman  and  Jason  Lee  were  married. 

9. — The  wife  of  Rev.  Marcus  Whitman,  who  founded  the  mission  at 
Waiilatpu  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions. 

10. — See  note  3  above. 


181 


XVIII 

Anna  Maria  Lee  to  Her  Sister,  Hester  Ann  Pittman 

Mission  House  April  16  —  [1838] 
Dear  Sister 

Well  Hester  Ann,1  I  must  write  a  little  letter  to  my 
only  black  eyed  sister,  and  tell  her  I  have  not  forgotten 
her,  if  I  am  a  great  ways  off.  I  often  think  of  you,  and 
would  like  to  take  a  peep  at  you,  and  see  what  you  and 
all  the  folks  are  about,  but  I  cannot,  and  must  be  con- 
tent, but  I  send  your  new  big  brother,  he  can  tell  me 
all  about  you,  and  about  me,  he  can  tile  you — you  must 
give  him  a  kiss  for  me  and  you  may  have  one  for  your- 
self too —  If  I  had  time  I  should  like  to  write  to  all 
the  children,  but  cannot  now  —  Mr.  Lee  has  been  gone 
three  long  weeks,  and  I  have  a  chance  to  send  him  a 
letter,  so  I  send  you  one  too —  I  send  you  some  Tappa,2 
made  at  the  Sandwich  Islands  by  the  natives  there,  it 
is  made  of  bark —  I  suppose  you  will  think  it  quite  a 
curiosity —  the  Govener  of  Toais3  wife  gave  it  to  me 
when  I  was  there,  it  will  make  you  an  apron — I  think 
a  very  pretty  one  too — 

I  should  like  to  send  you  something  else,  but  it  is  not 
convenient,  we  have  no  skins  here  suitable  to  make 
capes — now  I  will  tell  you  what  I  want  you  to  send  me, 
I  should  like  very  much  to  have  a  pot  of  current  jelly, 
but  when  Mr.  Lee  is  there  it  will  be  the  wrong  time  of 
the  year  to  make  it,  but  you  can  send  me  some  quince 
sweetmeats,  you  will  have  a  chance  to  send  it  by  water 
— you  must  write  me  a  letter,  if  you  don't  send  any- 
thing else —  Give  my  love  to  all  the  family.  It  is  time 
for  me  to  close  and  bid  you  good  bye — 
I  remain  your  sister  till  death 

H.  A.  R.  Pittman    Clayhouye       Anna  MarIa  Lee- 
182 


1. — Hester  Ann  Rogers  Pittman  was  the  youngest  sister  of  Anna 
Maria  Pittman  Lee,  and  was  also  the  youngest  child  in  the  family.  She 
was  born  November  19,  1827.  She  married  John  Gay,  and  they  resided 
in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Her  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Gertrude  Gay  Quinlan, 
Rockville  Center,  New  York,  has  the  originals  of  most  of  the  letters  in 
this  collection. 

2. — Also  spelled  tapa.  It  is  a  tough,  clothlike  paper  beaten  from  the 
retted  bast  of  the  paper-mulberry  tree.  The  natives  of  the  Hawaiian 
Islands  used  it  for  clothing,  mats,  hangings,  etc. 

3. — Toaii. 


183 


XIX 

Elvira  Perkins  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman 

Wascopum,  Columbia  River  July  5th  1838 

To  Mr.  George  Pittman  and  wife — 
Beloved  Friends, 

Though  in  a  sense  every  heart  must  bear  its  own  sor- 
rows, and  none  but  parents  who  have  been  called  to 
part  with  their  children  can  tell  a  parents'  grief,  yet  on 
this  melancholy  occasion,  I  can  not  forbear  some  ex- 
pression of  sympathy —  I  would  mingle  my  sorrows 
with  yours,  and  joined  by  the  rest  of  our  mission  family 
would  weep  with  you —  Had  they  known  of  this  op- 
portunity they  would  some  of  them  doubtless  have 
written  you —  I  have  but  but  just  heard  of  the  painful 
intelligence  of  your  beloved  daughter  Anna  Maria's 
death  by  a  hasty  line  from  Mrs.  White  which  you  will 
see.  Br.  Lee  will  I  suppose  hear  fu[r]ther  particulars 
and  communicate  them  to  you. 

Had  I  time  I  would  gladly  write  you  a  full  long 
letter,  but  as  the  express1  must  be  sent  on  with  all  pos- 
sible despatch,  I  have  only  time  to  say  that  though  thus 
deeply  afflicted,  in  the  removal  of  your  daughter  by 
death,  in  this  distant  land — that  though  you  could  not 
stand  beside  her  dying  pillow  and  close  her  eyes,  you 
have  reason  to  rejoice  on  her  account.  I  think  I  never 
saw  her  in  so  happy  a  state  of  mind  as  for  a  season 
before  I  was  called  to  leave  her  for  this  station.  She 
seemed  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  and  ripen- 
ening  for  heaven  I  regret  that  I  could  not  have  been 
with  her  in  the  closing  scene,  but  Jesus  was  there,  and 
his  presence  enlightened  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death  Our  little  number  has  been  preserved  so  long 
in  health ;  through  so  many  dangers,  that  I  had  hardly 

184 


thought  we  could  be  called  to  part  with  any  of  our 
number,  but  alas!  death  spares  not  the  heart  of  the  aged 
afflicted  parent!  death  spares  not  the  lonely  band  in  a 
heathen  country,  but  thanks  to  God  the  monster  has 
power  over  only  the  mortal  part,  and  that  we  can  look 
forward  with  faith  through  Him  who  was  the  Resurrec- 
tion and  the  Life  to. a  happy  meeting  with  the  glori- 
fied spirit  and  when  this  mortal  part  shall  have  put  on 
immortality —  There  I  trust  we  shall  meet —  There  I 
hope  to  meet  you,  my  dear  friends  and  your  whole 
family —  May  this  afflictive  event  be  sanctified  to  you 
to  them  all,  to  us,  and  the  Church  of  Christ  Excuse 
this  hasty  incoherent  line,  and  be  assured  you  shall  hear 
from  me  more  fully  the  first  opportunity. 
With  much  sympathy  and  affection  yours 

Elvira  Perkins2 


1. — Refers  to  the  express  sent  to  overtake  Jason  Lee  enroute  to  the 
East  and  to  convey  to  him  the  news  of  his  wife's  death. 

2. — -Miss  Elvira  Johnson  of  the  Maine  Wesleyan  Seminary  had  come 
to  the  Oregon  Mission  with  the  first  reenforcement,  which  arrived  there 
in  the  spring  of  1837.  On  November  21,  1837,  she  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Rev.  H.  K.  W.  Perkins,  who  accompanied  the  second  reenforce- 
ment which  had  arrived  September  20  of  that  year.  See  "Oregon  Mission 
Record  Book,"  under  marriages,  in  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  His- 
torical Society,  XXIII,  264,  and  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round 
the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  27-28. 


185 


XX 

N.  Bangs  to  Mr,  and  Mrs,  George  W.  Pittman 

New- York,  Oct.  9.  1838 
My  dear  bro.  &  Sister  Pitman, 

I  have  just  parted  with  bro.  Spaulding  who  has  been 
to  the  state  of  Illinois,  where  he  saw  Jason  Lee,  who 
is  on  his  way  to  this  city.  He  informed  bro.  Spaulding 
that  after  he  left  home,  a  messenger  overtook  him  and 
brought  him  the  mournful  inteligence  that  his  wife, 
your  daughter  Mariah  is  dead.  It  seems  that  she  died  in 
a  premature1  child  birth,  but  the  particular  circum- 
stances I  am  not  informed  of.  I  thought  it  best  to  com- 
municate this  sad  news  to  you,  before  bro.  Lee  shall 
arive.  All  I  can  say  is  that  I  pray  God  to  support  & 
comfort  you  under  this  heavy  bereavement.  I  feel  it  to 
be  a  severe  loss,  not  only  to  you,  but  to  the  Oregon 
Mission. 

Yours  affectionately 

N.  Bangs. 

1. — This  does  not  seem  to  have  been  the  case. 


186 


XXI 
Jason  Lee  to  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman 

Ship  Lausanne  Nov.  27  1839. 
My  dear  Mother. . 

I  fully  purposed  to  visit  you  again,  previous  to  sail- 
ing, but  pressure  of  unavoidable  buisness  prevented.  I 
now  take  the  only  means  left  me  of  communicating 
what  I  might  have  said  in  person  had  an  opportunity 
offered.  My  last  visit,  you  are  aware,  must  have  been 
any  thing,  but  agreeable,  to  me,  and  perhaps  to  you, 
burdensome.  Still  that  would  not  have  prevented  my 
visiting  you  again  had  time  permited.  Not  that  I  wish, 
to  give  pain  to  any  human  being;  much  less,  to  the 
Mother,  of  her,  whose  memory  I  revere,  and  shall  de- 
light to  cherish,  as  long  as  reason  shall  possess  the 
power  to  recall  the  past;  but,  for  the  same  purpose,  for 
which  I  have  now  summoned  my  pen;  Viz.  to  explain, 
and  justify,  the  course  I  have  taken;  (though  it  seems 
so  grevious,  and  objectionable  to  you,)  hoping  thereby 
to  mitigate,  if  not  remove,  the  affliction  which  has 
caused  you  so  much  sorrow. 

You  mentioned  two  things,  which,  seem  to  be  the 
grand  objections  to  the  course  I  have  pursued,  and  the 
cause,  of  your  affliction.  The  first  was,  you  thought, 
that  I  ought  to  have  waited,  untill  I  had  seen  the  grave 
of  my  late  companion,  before  I  married  again.  And  the 
second  that  you  was  not  informed  of  my  intention  be- 
fore hand. 

They  are  both,  questions  of  propriety,  or  impropriety, 
which  cannot  be  settled,  either,  by  law,  or  gospel,  but 
must  be  referred  to  the  decisions  of  the  judicious,  who 
are  best  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  of  the  case. 
And,  to  the  opinion  of  such,  I  appeal  for  a  justification 

187 


of  my  conduct.  More  than  a  score,  probably,  of  my 
most  judicious,  and  inteligent  friends,  who  were  better 
acquainted,  with  the  circumstances,  than  any  others, 
myself  excepted,  not  only  (without  being  consulted,) 
advised;  but  urged  the  measure ;  and  begged  of  me,  not 
to  return  to  Oregon  alone,  but  to  choose  a  suitable  com- 
panion to  accompany  me.  Among  these  I  mention, 
Bishop  Hedding,  Dr.  Bangs,  and  the  lamented  Dr. 
Fisk.  Besides  personable  friends,  many  scores  of  strang- 
ers, as  I  was  passing  through  the  country,  gratuitously, 
express  the  same  opinion.  And  the  scores,  who  spoke  to 
me  on  the  subject  after  my  marriage,1  highly  com- 
mended the  course,  yourself,  alone  excepted.  Now,  I 
frankly  confess,  that  it  was  long  after  I  was  convinced 
of  the  propriety  of  the  measure,  before  I  could  think 
of  it  without  pain.  After,  however,  having  made  it  a 
subject  of  earnest  prayer,  for  a  long  time,  I  became 
convinced,  that  it  was  my  duty,  to  take  the  course,  that 
I  have  taken.  After  making  all  due  allowance,  for  the 
feelings  of  a  fond  Mother,  yet  I  do  think,  that  it  will 
be  with  some  degree  of  diffidence  that  you  can  bring 
forward  your  opinion  in  opposition  to  that,  of  so  many 
worthies  j  after  you  have  duly  reflected  upon  the  sub- 
ject. It  seems  to  me  that  the  above  is  conclusive,  and 
ought  to  be  satisfactory.  If  there  are  any  doubts  still  on 
your  mind,  I  would  ask,  are  you  not  satisfied,  that  the 
measure  will  be  conducive,  to  my  comfort,  and  happi- 
ness, and  usefulness  among  the  Indian?  To  promote  my 
comfort,  was  the  grand  object,  to  which  your  Maria 
and  my  Maria,  had  devoted  herself ;  and  ought  they 
to  be  sacrificed  to  meet  the  views  of  propriety,  of  a 
single  individual;  against  whose  views,  there  is  such  a 
fearful  odds!  I  think  the  candid  will  answer  in  the 
negative;  and  I  am  constrained  to  say,  after  carefully 

188 


reviewing  the  past,  that  the  glory  of  God  has  been  the 
grand  object  aimed  at,  and  were  I  to  act  the  same  scene 
again  I  should  pursue  a  similar  course.  I  will  now 
briefly  state  the  reason  why  I  did  not  consult  you  be- 
fore hand.  It  was  solely  on  account  of  your  hardness  of 
hearing.  To  save  myself  and  others,  a  great  waste  of 
time,  which  I  could  ill  spare,  I  determined  to  mention 
it,  to  but  a  few  friends,  who  would  keep  it  secret;  but 
as  no  opportunity  offered  of  communicating  it  to  you, 
without  others  hearing,  I  concluded  to  sav  nothing 
about  it.  I  might  have  informed  you  by  writing,  but  it 
did  not  occur  to  me  at  the  time.  I  thought,  I  was  pur- 
suing the  most  judcious  course  at  the  time,  but,  still  I 
may  have  been  wrong.  Be  that  as  it  mav;  be  assured  I 
intended  no  disrespect  to  you.  I  would  much  rather, 
suffer  inconvenience  myself,  than  give  pain  to  one,  who 
shared  so  large  a  place  in  my  affections ;  Had  I  known, 
therefore,  the  effect  it  would  have  had  on  your  mind,  I 
should  have  consulted  you.  And  now,  My  Dear  Moth- 
er, (for  I  must  still  call  you  by  that  endearing  title,) 
I  must  add,  that  the  impression  of  our  reception  at  your 
house,  remains  indelibly  fixed  upon  my  mind,  and  holds 
a  prominent  place,  among  the  few  incidents  of  my  life, 
to  which,  I  cannot  revert,  without  extreme  pain. 

Suppose  your  view,  to  be  correct,  and  that.  I  was 
greatly  to  blame;  yet  what  crime  was  Mrs.  Lee  guilty 
of?  Why,  she  had  married  a  man  whose  wife  had  de- 
ceased but  little  more  than  a  year!  She,  therefore,  must 
be  subjected  to — but  I  forbear!  I  did  hope,  that,  when 
the  intense  excitement,  manifested  on  that  occasion,  had 
passed  away;  and  you  had  carefully  examined,  and 
calmly  reflected  upon  the  subject,  than  an  explanation 
might  take  place,  which  would  remove  the  difficulty, 
and,  that  I  should  have  the  satisfaction,  of  leaving  the 

189 


land  of  my  Fathers,  sharing  the  same  place  in  your  af- 
fections, which  I  flattered  myself,  I  had  been  wont  to 
share,  and  which  I  so  highly  prized.  But  the  knowledge, 
that  you  twice  passed  my  room,  when  I  was  in,  without 
deigning  to  call  on  me,  and  especially  that  you  went  to 
Dr.  Bangs,  with  business  which  no  more  concerned  him, 
than  a  man  in  the  moon,  added  poignancy  to  my  grief, 
and  caused  me  to  think,  that  you  shunned  an  interview. 
Why  you  should  go  to  Dr.  Bangs,  with  our  family  mat- 
ters, I  have  never  been  able  to  divine.  I  searched  much 
for  your  letters,  but  was  unable  to  find  them,  till  a  few 
days  before  you  received  them,  and  they  would  have 
been  sent  as  soon  [as]  found,  had  I  not  purposed  to 
carry  them  myself.  I  proposed,  to  send  you  any  of 
Maria's  wearing  apparel  that  you  might  desire  it  [if] 
you  would  give  me  a  list,  of  what  you  would  like.  I  still 
say,  that  I  would  most  cheerfully  send  you  every  article 
of  the  kind,  that  she  has  left  behind,  if  you  desire  them, 
yea  every  article,  her  watch,  and  the  spoons  excepted.  I 
love  my  Dear  Wife,  with  a  love  surpassing  that  of  a 
Mother,  and  after  the  most  deliberate  examination  of 
this  subject,  and  mature  reflection  upon  it  I  have 
come  to  the  conclusion,  that  I  shall  preserve  those 
things  in  memory  of  her  who  possessed  them.  Had  the 
spoons  been  a  present  from  you,  had  they  been  pur- 
chased with  money  received  from  her  Parents,  had  you 
ever  seen  them  in  her  possession,  the  case  in  my  view 
would  have  been  different.  But  they  were  bought  with 
money  earned  after  she  left  her  native  shores,  they  came 
into  her  possession  after  our  marriage,  with  them  we  ate 
together,  and  there  is  nothing  perhaps  in  my  possession 
that  I  would  not  sooner  part  with.2  I  am  sorry  that  the 
things  for  which  you  have  asked,  are  the  very  things, 
which  I  cannot  send.  I  have  endeavored  to  give  my 

190 


views  in  a  plain  way,  without  disguise,  or  affectation. 
Should  this  communication  be  the  means  of  relieving 
your  mind,  in  any  degree,  I  rejoice,  if  not,  I  can  only 
say,  I  have  done  what  I  could.  Rest  assured,  my  Dear 
Mother,  that  I  have  no  hard  feelings  towards  you, 
though  I  have  written  plainly,  and  it  would  greatly  re- 
joice my  heart  to  know,  that  you  were  reconciled  to  the 
course  I  have  pursued.  I  shall  ever  feel  a  lively  interest 
in  your  wellfare,  and  shall  be  greatly  rejoiced  to  re- 
ceive letters,  from  you,  or  any  of  the  family  at  every 
opportunity.  As  the  above  is  upon  a  subject  which  con- 
cerns nobody  but  ourselves,  I  must  utterly  refuse  my 
consent,  to  your  showing  it  to  any  one,  except  Father 
Pittman,  and  when  you  have  both  read  it,  let  it  be 
committed  to  the  flames.  This  is  the  first  letter  I  have 
attempted  to  write  since  we  embarked.3  Ever  yours, 

Jason  Lee. 

Nov.  28.  We  are  expecting  to  be  in  Rio  Jeneiro  in 
eight  or  ten  days  if  all  is  well  Th  [  r  ]  ough  the  goodness  of 
God  we  have  had,  thus  far,  a  very  gentle  passage, 
though  rather  a  tardy  one.  Several  of  our  companions 
have  suffered  severely  with  sea  sickness,  but  no  two 
have  been  so  severely  afflicted,  as  Mrs.  Lee,  arid  my- 
self. My  sufferings  were  great,  and  reduced  me  much, 
but  were  no  greater  than  I  anticipated.  But  Mrs.  L.  was 
entirely  prostrated  for  several  weeks,  and  this  morning 
for  the  first  time  for  about  seven  weeks,  she  was  able 
to  rise,  dress,  wash,  &c.  and  come  on  deck  without  as- 
sistance. Most  have  now  recovered,  almost  entirely  from 
seasickness,  and  are  enjoying  comfortable  health.  I  have 
been  able  to  read  but  little,  and  our  Vessel  so  crank, 
that  is,  lies  over  so  much  upon  the  Leeward  side,  that 
I  have  been  able  to  exercise  but  little,  which  is  so  con- 

191 


trary  to  my  habit,  that  I  have  found  it  rather  weari- 
some. In  the  midst  of  all,  however,  a  consciousness, 
that  I  was  in  the  way  of  duty,  has,  I  trust  enabled  me 
to  bear  with  patience,  if  not  with  cheerfulness,  what- 
ever, Providence  has  seen  fit  to  send.  In  all  my  perig- 
rinations  I  have  found,  that  he,  who  is  in  the  void 
waste,  as  in  the  city  full,  is  God  over  all,  and  rich  unto 
all  that  call  upon  him.  Even  here,  upon  the  high  seas, 
so  far  from  home,  and  solid  land;  I  find  a  throne  of 
grace  accessible,  a  storehouse  well  replenished  with 
everything  requisite  for  our  spiritual  comfort.  Replen- 
ished, from  that  storehouse  we  are  rich,  but  without 
such  a  supply  we  are  poor  indeed.  Poor  Earth !  meagre 
are  thy  joys,  short  their  continuance. 


Rio  Janeiro  Dec.  11,  1839 

My  Dear  Parents 

I  resume  my  pen  to  give  a  hasty  conclusion  to  this 
imperfect  letter. I  came  on  shore  yes- 
terday— am  now  at  Bro.  Spaldings.4  Capt.  Dickinson 
of  the  U.  S.  Sloop  of  war  Boxer  sails  tomorrow  morn- 
ing, and  I  must  finish  all  my  letters,  and  have  them  on 
Board;  time  will  not  allow  me  to  write  more.  All  in 

good  health. Sail  the  14th,  Inst.  Days 

are  long,  and  temperature  as  high,  as  July  with  you. 

This  is  a  most  delightfully  romantic  place. 

Nature  has  everything  for  Rio  Janeiro,  art  little,  ex- 
cept to  enslave  [?]  thousands  of  our  fillow  beings,  and 
sink  them  on  a  level  with  the  brutes.  I  must  bid  you 

farewell. May  our  Common  Father,  and 

gracious  Benefactor,  crown  the  evening  of  your  days, 
with  his  loving  kindness,  and  his  tender  mercies,  and 
bring  you  safely  to  his  eternal  joy.  Give  my  love  to  all 
the  family,  and  tell  them  that  I  am  a  witness  to  some 

192 


of  the  many  strong  cries,  that  their  Dear  departed 
Sister,  offered  up  for  them,  while  she  was  here  in  the 
flesh.  Her  voice  is  hushed  in  death !  Those  fingers,  that 
have  so  often  been  the  instruments  of  conveying  warn- 
ing and  exhortation  to  them,  move  no  more!  And  I 
now  beseech  them,  in  her  stead,  yea  in  Christ's  stead, 
to  be  reconciled  to  God,  that  they  may  meet  their  Dear 
Sister  in  heaven. 

Your  Affect.  Son  J.  Lee. 

1. — While  in  the  East  Rev.  Jason  Lee  married  Miss  Lucy  Thompson 
of  Barre,  Vermont,  July  28,  1839. 

2. — See  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  My  Dear  Parents,  Honolulu,  Oahu, 
April  4,  1837. 

3. — A  third  reenforcement,  consisting  of  fifty-two  persons,  sailed  from 
New  York  City  October  10,  1839,  on  the  Lausanne,  Capt.  Spaulding  in 
command,  bound  direct  to  the  Oregon  Mission.  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines, 
A  voyage  round  the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  38-41. 

4. — Rev.  Justin  Spaulding,  who  went  to  Rio  de  Janeiro  as  a  Methodist 
missionary  in  1836.  Minutes  of  the  annual  conferences  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  for  the  year  1866,  p.  81. 


193 


XXII 

Jason  Lee  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Phtman 

Vancouver  Sept  23.  1841. 
My  Dear  Parents 

Little  did  I  think  that  I  should  have  been  so  long  in 
Oregon  before  sending  you  some  things  which  will 
make  you  feel  more  accutely,  perhaps  than  ever,  the 
loss,  of  your  Beloved  Daughter,  Anna  Maria.  I  can 
offer  but  one  excuse,  and,  to  you,  perhaps,  it  will  seem 
a  poor  one,  but,  if  you  knew  the  weight  of  cares,  and 
the  pressure  of  business  I  have  had  the  past  year,  I  am 
sure  you  would  forgive,  if  you  found  it  difficult  to 
excuse  me.  A  few  minutes  since  I  put  into  the  care  of 
Mr.  Waldron,  Purser  of  Vincennes,  one  of  the  U.  S. 
Exploring  Sqadron,1  a  Box  which  I  packed  a  few  weeks 
sin[c]e  for  you.  I  should  have  sent  more,  but  really, 
most  of  Maria's  Dresses,2  &c.  I  did  not  think  worth 
sending,  and  therefore  only  sent  such  things,  as  I 
though  [t]  you,  and  her  Brothers,  and  Sisters  would  wish 
to  preserve  to  remind  them  of  her,  who  loved  them 
most  tenderly,  and  who  offered  daily  prayers  for  their 
salvation  j  until  her  voice  was  hushed  in  death,  and  her 
enraptured  Spirit,  instead  of  wafting  prayers  to  Heaven 
for  others,  soared  away,  to  take  possession,  of  what  she 
had  so  often  claimed  for  herself ;  a  glorious  inheritance 
with  the  Saints  in  light.  The  shells  in  the  Box  are  some 
Maria  brought  from  the  S.  I.3  I  send  a  large  lock  of 
her  hair —  The  gold  Locket  which  she  got  made,  and 
in  which  she  placed  so  neatly  the  locks  of  hair  she  had 
cut  from  the  heads  of  her  friends.4  I  had  not  time  to 
take  an  Invoice  when  I  packed  the  things  and  I  have 
not  time  to  mention  all  I  remember.  The  Waiter,  is 
one  she  brought  from  the  Islands,  and  some  one  heard 

194 


her  say,  that  she  would  like  to  send  it  to  her  Mother, 
I  am  happy,  therefore  to  send  it  in  her  name;  and  while 
Mother,  admires  the  beauty  of  it  5  may  she  reflect,  how 
infinitely  more  beautiful,  is  the  spirit  of  her  in  whose 
name  she  receives  it.  The  Beaver  and  Otter,  which 
were  put  in  to  fill  up  the  Box.  Father  will  please  ac- 
cept, and  if  hereafter  fortune  should  frown,  and  you 
should  find  yourself  in  straitened  circumstances  I  hope 
you  will  let  me  know,  perhaps  it  may  be  in  my  power 
to  render  you  some  assistance. 

This  reminds  me,  however,  that  I  have  not  received 
a  line  from  any  one  of  the  Family,  since  I  left.  Is  it  so? 
Am  I  to  hear  no  more  from  the  Parents — from  the 
Brothers y  and  Sisters,  of  my  Dear  deceased  companion? 
A  line  from  any  one  of  the  family  would  be  most  thank- 
fully received.  Will  not  my  Dear  little  sister  Hester 
Ann  write  me  a  line?  I  will  not  despair!  Surely  my 
Dear  Friends,  you  will  write  the  Husband  of  your  de- 
ceased Sister,  for  her  sake. 

If  I  receive  nothing  from  any  of  those  dear  Friends 
for  whom  Maria,  taught  me  to  pray  particularly  I  shall 
think  that  they  wish  to  forget  me,  and  that  my  letters 
are  not  acceptable,  and  of  course,  shall  feel  myself  com- 
pelled to  lay  down  my  pen  to  resume  it  no  more. 

I  have  been  absent  from  the  Wallamette  about  a 
Month  on  a  visit  to  the  Dalles.  Bro.  Daniel,  Wife  Boy,5 
and  ascociates  Bro.  Perkins,  and  Wife,  and  others  at 
that  station  are  well.  From  the  friends  at  the  Walamete 
I  have  not  heard  since  I  left.  Nothing  special  among 
the  Indians  at  present.  The  Brethren  at  Dalles  are 
looking  for  happy  times  among  their  Indians  when  they 
return  to  their  winter  quarters. 

I  have  recently  had  an  attack  of  the  Ague  which  is 
the  first  since  my  return. 


195 


Am  unwel,  and  as  I  have  to  write  Dr.  Bangs  to 
night,  and  prepare  for  an  early  start  in  the  morning, 
you  will  excuse  my  not  entering  into  particulars.  We 
are  not  discouraged  here,  though  we  have  trials  and 
difficulties;  and  who  does  not!  if  they  try  to  do  good 
in  a  wor[l]d  filled  with  wicked  men,  and  devils.  I  write 
in  haste — have  not  time,  [to]  read  what  I  have  writ- 
ten. Give  my  love  to  all  who  enquire  after  me.  And 
permit  me  still  to  claim  the  privilege  of  subscribing 
myself. 

Yours  Dutiful  Son 

Jason  Lee. 
P.  S. 

The  little  clothes  in  the  Box  we  suppose  to  be  those 
worn  by  your  little  grand  Son,  during  his  short  sojourn 
on  earth;  and  the  patch  work  we  presume  his  Mother 
intended  for  a  covering  for  her  Son.  J.  Lee. 

1. — This  refers  to  the  United  States  Exploring  Expedition  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Charles  Wilkes,  U.  S.  N. 

2. — According  to  Rev.  Jason  Lee's  statement  made  to  the  Mission 
Board  after  his  return  from  Oregon  in  the  spring  of  1844,  he  had  sold 
the  clothes  of  his  deceased  wives,  his  furniture,  etc.,  in  order  to  con- 
tribute liberally  towards  any  benevolent  project.  Since  he  was  the  super- 
intendent of  the  mission  he  was  expected  to  give  more  than  the  others, 
and  seemingly  found  it  necessary  to  raise  money  in  this  way  to  supple- 
ment his  rather  meager  salary.  Report  of  Jason  Lee  to  the  Mission 
Board  in  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  beginning  January  1,  1844,  MS. 

3. — Sandwich  Islands. 

4. — See  letter  of  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  my  dear  Sisters  and  Brothers, 
Boston,  July  16,  1836. 

5. — On  June  11,  1840,  Daniel  Lee  was  married  to  Miss  Maria  T. 
Ware,  who  came  out  with  the  reenforcement  on  the  Lausanne.  Mr.  Lee 
had  proceeded  to  Baker's  Bay  to  meet  Miss  Ware  to  whom  he  had  been 
engaged  for  some  time.  They  were  stationed  at  The  Dalles.  A  son,  Wilber 
Fisk  Lee,  was  born  to  them  March  23,  1841.  Lee  and  Frost,  Ten  Years 
in  Oregon,  226,  248;  and  Bancroft,  History  of  Oregon,  I,  183. 

Since  Miss  Rogers,  to  whom  Daniel  Lee  was  engaged  when  he  went 
to  Oregon,  had  refused  to  join  him  there,  that  engagement  had  evidently 
been  broken.  This  new  one  with  Miss  Ware  must  have  been  entered 
upon  by  correspondence.  See  Anna  Maria  Pittman  to  my  Dear  Parents, 
June  5th,  1837,  Oregon  Mission,  Willamette  Rr.,  note  8. 

196 


XXIII 

Jason  Lee  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman 

Walamette  Aug.  2,  1842. — 
My  Dear  Parents 

I  wrote  you  last  year,  stating  that  I  had  delivered  to 
the  care  of  Purser  Waldron,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  a  Box 
containing  some  things  which  were  left  by  your  Dear 
deceased  Daughter.  Sometime  after  he  had  left  the 
River  I  received  a  note  stating  that  Capt.  Wilkes  could 
not  allow  him  to  take  the  Box  for  want  of  room,  and 
that  it  was  left  at  Fort  George  in  charge  of  a  man 
who  would  sail  in  the  first  Vessel  that  left  the  River 
and  who  would  take  it  to  New  York  if  I  would  write 
him  on  the  subject.  I  did  so,  and  received  a  note  from 
him  after  he  was  gone,  saying  that  he  could  not  take  it. 
It  is  still  at  Fort  George,  but  I  expect  it  will  soon  be 
on  the  way  in  charge  of  Bro.  Leslie,1  who  I  trust  will 
be  able  to  deliver  it  safely.  The  delay  has  been  a  great 
grief  to  me,  and  doubtless  a  much  greater  to  you,  and 
I  do  hope  that  you  may  receive  them  safe  at  last. — - 

Ere  this  reaches  you,  you  will  have  learned  that  the 
hand  of  my  God  has  again  been  laid  heavily  upon  me, 
that  I  am  again  bereaved.2 

You  mv  Dear  Mother,  wished  me  to  see  the  grave 
of  my  Dear  Maria,  before  I  married  again.  I  can  now 
look  upon  two  graves,  and  reflect,  that  I  have  lived  in 
perfect  peace  and  harmony  with  the  inmates  of  both, 
and  that  I  am  now  standing  alone,  having  no  one  to 
share  my  sorrows  or  participate  in  my  griefs.  Be  it  so. 
Heaven  is  just,  and  I  bow  with  submission.  Never  was 
man  blessed  with  two  better  wives,  and  few  have  been 
placed  in  circumstances  to  feel  their  loss  more.  The 
memory  of  each  is  equally  dear  to  me:  and  when  I  find 

197 


some  little  things  which  belonged  to  Maria,  I  often 
ere  I  am  aware,  think,  I  will  save  these  for  the  little 
Daughter,  for  they  belonged  to  her  first  Mother.  The 
Daughter's  name  is  Lucyanna  Maria,  her  Mother's 
name  was  Lucy:  we  call  her  Lucyanna.  The  child  en- 
joyes  good  heath,  and  is  one  of  the  largest  of  her  age 
that  I  have  seen.3  Not  a  line  from  any  one  of  the  family 
yet,  but  still,  you,  see,  I  continue  to  write,  living  in 
hope,  but  I  hope,  that  you  will  remember,  and  that 
"hope  dejerred  maketh  the  heart  sick."4 

It  is  near  midnight,  and  all  around  me  seem  to  be 
locked  in  the  arms  of  Morpheous,  except  the  watch 
dog.  and  I  feel  that  weary  nature,  calls  for  nature's 
calm  restorer,  balmy  sleep.  I  must,  therefore,  cut  short 
this  espistle,  by  wishing  you  every  blessing  temporal, 
and  Spiritual  here,  and  a  triumphant  entrance  into  glory 
everlasting  hereafter. 

I  am  My  Dear  Parents 
as  ever 

Yours  Truly, 
Jason  Lee. 

P.  S.  Wallamitte  Falls  Aug.  22 

I  have  just  time  to  say  that  the  Box  will  be  put  in 
charge  of  Dr.  Richmond5  and,  you  will  find  it  at  the 
Book  Room  immediately  after  you  receive  this. 

I  have  had  so  much  to  do  Since  I  wrote  this  that  I 
have  found  little  time  to  write,  and  as  this  is  the  last 
day  I  shall  have  to  write  by  this  conveyance  I  shall  be 
extremely  pressed  for  time  to  close  my  correspondence. 

Your 

Dutiful 
Son 

Jason  Lee. 

198 


1. — Rev.  David  Leslie,  with  his  wife  and  three  young  daughters,  came 
with  the  second  missionary  reenforcement  to  Oregon.  They  arrived  at 
Vancouver  September  7,  1837,  on  the  ship  Sumatra,  and  reached  the 
mission  a  few  days  later.  Brother  Leslie  went  to  Hawaii  in  1842  to  take 
two  of  hia  daughters  and  place  them  in  school  there  until  he  could  send 
them  to  New  England.  It  was  evidently  on  this  trip  that  Jason  Lee  in- 
tended sending  the  box.  "Oregon  Mission  Record  Book,"  The  Quarterly 
of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XXIII,  258;  Bancroft,  History  of  Ore- 
gon, 1,  161,  and  Bashford,  The  Oregon  missions,  215-216. 

2. — Mrs.  Lee  passed  away  on  the  morning  of  March  20,  1842,  three 
weeks  after  the  birth  of  a  little  daughter.  The  immediate  cause  of  her 
death  was  pleurisy.  Jason  Lee  to  my  dear  Nephew  [Daniel  Lee],  Van- 
couver, April  13,  1842. 

3. — Jason  Lee's  daughter  was  born  February  26,  1842.  Mrs.  Gustavus 
Hines  cared  for  the  child  after  the  death  of  its  mother.  Rev.  Jason  Lee 
also  came  to  live  at  the  Hines'  home.  In  1844  Jason  Lee  and  daughter, 
and  Rev.  Hines  and  family  left  Oregon  for  the  Sandwich  Islands,  in- 
tending to  return  to  the  United  States.  Upon  arriving  in  Honolulu  it  was 
learned  that  no  vessel  would  be  sailing  for  there  under  several  months.  It 
seemed  necessary  that  Jason  Lee  proceed  immediately.  Passage  for  one 
could  be  obtained  on  a  small  schooner  bound  for  Mexico,  and  Rev.  Lee 
availed  himself  of  this  opportunity.  He  bade  a  last  farewell  to  his  small 
daughter  on  this  distant  Pacific  island,  and  was  never  to  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  her  face  again. 

The  little  Lucyanna  Maria  returned  to  Oregon  with  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Hines,  whose  foster  child  she  became.  Later  they  took  her  to  the  United 
States,  intending  to  give  her  over  to  her  father.  Mrs.  Hines  had  become 
very  much  attached  to  the  little  girl.  As  the  vessel  on  which  they  were 
sailing  neared  New  York,  Mrs.  Hines  became  more  and  more  reluctant 
to  give  up  the  little  girl,  who  had  been  to  her  as  her  own.  The  night  be- 
fore they  arrived  in  port,  she  paced  the  stateroom  all  night,  overcome 
with  grief  at  the  thought  of  having,  to  become  separated  from  the  child. 
When  the  ship  docked  the  next  day,  the  first  news  that  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Hines  received  was  that  Jason  Lee  had  passed  away  March  12,  1845,  and 
in  his  will  had  given  his  only  child  to  the  loving  care  of  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Hines,  the  only  parents  she  ever  knew.  Provision  was  to  be  made  for 
her  education,  and  she  became  a  worthy  graduate  of  Willamette  Univer- 
sity (Class  of  1863),  in  the  founding  of  which  her  father  had  "played 
such  a  large  part. 

She  served  as  a  preceptress  of  that  institution,  and  become  the  wife  of 
Professor  Francis  H.  Grubbs  of  the  same  institution.  One  daughter, 
Ethel  Grubbs,  was  born  to  them.  She  now  resides  in  Portland,  Oregon, 
and  is  the  only  living  descendant  of  Jason  Lee.  Mrs.  Grubbs  died  in  April, 
1881.  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage  round  the  world  with  a  history  of 
the  Oregon  Mission,  203-4;  Will  of  Jason  Lee,  MS.  copy;  Mrs.  M.  H. 
Odell,  A  semi-centennial  offering  to  the  members  and  friends  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Salem,  Oregon,  40,  and  Remarks  of  Miss 
Ethel  Grubbs. 

A.— Proverbs  13:12. 


199 


5. — Rev.  J.  P.  Richmond,  M.D.,  who  came  to  Oregon  with  the  re- 
enforcement  on  the  Lausanne  in  1840.  Rev.  Gustavus  Hines,  A  voyage 
round  the  world  with  a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission,  42,  and  Bancroft, 
History  of  Oregon,  I,  177. 


200 


POEMS 


TO  MY  PARENTS 

Adieu  my  Parents  dear, 
The  parting  hour  is  come: 
Oh  let  not  sorrows  tear, 
Your  eyes  for  me  oer  run. 

Commend  upon  your  child  to  God, 
Cast  all  your  fears  away. 
She  walks  in  duty's  road  5 
And  she  would  God  obey. 

Jesus  is  all  my  hope. 
To  him  I  look  for  grace ; 
His  hand  will  hold  me  up, 
And  save  in  every  place. 

Have  not  an  anxious  thought, 
For  me  when  I  am  gone; 
My  God  will  me  support, 
And  safely  lead  me  on. 

Oh  no  I  cannot  fear, 
It  will  be  well  with  me; 
And  you  my  Parents  dear, 
Will  daily  pray  for  me. 

I  will  remember  you 
Where  e're  my  lot  is  cast: 
With  gratitude  I  too, 
Will  think  of  all  the  past. 


203 


err. 


Farewell  a  long  farewell. 
Perhaps  again  we'll  meet: 
Joy  then  our  hearts  will  swell, 
While  we  the  past  repeat. 

But  let  us  faithful  prove, 
That  if  we  meet  no  more; 
We'll  meet  in  Heaven  above  j 
Where  parting  all  is  oer. 

— From  your  daughter  Anna  Maria. 


204 


II 

AN  ACROSTIC  ON 

May  thy  whole  care  be  cast  on  God, 
And  treasure  up  his  holy  word, 
Rich  may'st  thou  be  in  heavenly  food; 
Your  constant  prayer  be  God  is  love. 

Providence  cares  for  thee  and  thine 
In  that  you've  seen  his  hand  divine 
The  ills  of  life  you  will  have  known 
The  frowns  of  fortune  too  have  borne 
May  guardian  angels  oer  the[e]  bend 
And  heaven  protect  thee  and  defend. 
Nor  evil  fall  on  you  my  friend. 

Anna  Maria. 


205 


Ill 

AN  ACROSTIC  ON 

Go  on  in  the  paths  of  peace  and  piety- 
Extend  thy  hand  to  deeds  of  charity 
O  may  the  heavenly  dove  on  thee  descend 
Reign  in  thy  heart  from  sorrow's  shaft  defend 
Gently  oh  may  thy  years  roll  sweet  along 
Each  day  begin  and  end  with  thankful  songs. 


When  e'er  affliction  shall  around  thee  spread 
And  clouds  of  sorrow  hover  o'er  thy  head, 
Silent  then  bear  it  and  with  calm  repose 
Heaven  will  protect  thee  from  thy  dreaded  foes  5 
In  every  toil  and  care  oh  may'st  thou  find 
No  thoughts  perplexed  but  sweet  peace  of  mind 
Go  on  and  may  thy  children  form  a  band; 
To  join  thee  with  thy  wife  at  God's  right  hand; 
O  may'st  thou  meet  thy  little  one  that  is  there, 
No  more  to  part  or  shed  a  silent  tear. 

Perhaps  long  years  thy  wife  and  thou  shalt  live 
In  this  thy  daughters  fondest  wish  receive 
Together  hand  in  hand  move  on  and  love 
Together  meet  in  heaven's  bright  courts  above; 
May'st  thou  with  thy  companion  ever  praise 
A  hand  that's  just  and  right  in  all  its  ways 
Nor  may  stern  fortune  e'er  obscure  thy  days. 

Anna  Maria. 
jj         jj         >? 


206 


IV 
TO  MY  BROTHERS  &  SISTERS 

1  Brothers  and  sisters  dear  adieu, 
The  hour  has  come  to  part  with  you; 
Oh  let  not  sorrow  fill  your  heart, 
Because  you're  called  with  me  to  part. 

2  Children  you  are  of  many  prayers, 
Of  tears  and  many  anxious  cares; 
Bound  strong  we  are  by  natures  ties, 
Oh  seek  a  mansion  in  the  skies. 

3  Then  if  we  meet  on  earth  no  more, 
We'll  meet  on  Canaan's  peaceful  shore; 
Come  seek  God's  face  and  in  that  land, 
We'll  no  more  give  the  parting  hand. 

4  And  since  it  is  God's  holy  will, 
We  must  be  parted  for  awhile; 
In  sweet  communion  all  in  one, 
We'll  say  Our  Fathers  will  be  done. 

5  I  hope  you  will  remember  me, 
If  here  my  face  no  more  you  see; 
An  interest  in  my  prayers  you  have, 
That  we  may  meet  beyond  the  grave. 

From  your  sister  Anna  Maria. 


207 


ANNA  MARIA  PITTMAN'S  COMPOSITION 

Farewell  my  dear  friend,  I  must  bid  you  adieu, 
From  the  land  of  my  birth  mid  strangers  I  go, 
From  the  scenes  of  my  youth  in  a  dark  land  to  dwell, 
The  love  of  the  Saviour  the  red  men  to  tell. 

I  go  from  my  home  and  the  friends  that  I  love, 
God's  grace  is  sufficient  I  know  I  shall  prove. 
I  fear  not  for  he  is  my  strength  and  my  friend, 
His  arm  will  protect  me  and  save  to  the  end. 

How  oft  round  the  family  altar  we  bowed 
And  mingled  our  voices  in  praise  to  God. 
How  pleasing  will  be  the  found  reccolection, 
The  moments  we  spent  in  act  of  devotion. 

Beneath  your  kind  roof  I  there  found  a  Swe[e]t  Spot, 
The  place  and  the  time  I  shall  never  forget, 
T  was  there  Jesus  whispered  thy  sins  are  forgiven 
And  there  I  first  taste  the  true  joys  of  Heaven. 

The  spot  I  now  leave,  with  friends  I  must  part, 
The  sacrifice  make  it  affect  not  my  heart, 
When  Jesus  is  with  me  oh,  why  should  I  fear 
He  can  in  all  places  give  answer  to  prayer. 

Farewell  dont  foget  me,  when  far  from  my  friends, 
Let  prayers  for  your  sister  to  Heaven  ascend, 
Then  when  all  our  toil  and  affliction  is  oer, 
Oh  then  may  we  meet  where  parting  is  no  more. 


208 


VI 

HENRIETTA 

Oh  Henrietta  think  of  me. 
When  far  from  home,  and  friends,  and  theej 
When  rocks  and  mountains  intervene, 
And  ocean's  billows  roll  between. 

Perhaps  on  earth  we  meet  no  more, 
Till  safe  on  the  eternal  shore: 
I'll  hail  thy  ransomed  spirit,  where 
Disease,  and  death,  we  shall  not  fear. 

There  on  our  Saviours  beauties  gaze, 
And  sing  a  song  of  endless  praise  ; 
Oh  let  us  to  the  end  endure, 
A  crown  of  life  we  shall  secure. 

Then  fare  thee  well,  remember  me, 

I  too  will  often  think  of  thee; 

And  when  to  Heaven  your  prayers  ascend, 

Oh  think  of  me,  your  absent  friend. 

Anna. 


Editor's  Note.  The  original  of  this  poem  is  in  the  possession  of  Mrs. 
Mary  Louise  Jones,  Newberg,  Oregon.  It  was  written  to  her  mother, 
Henrietta  Hawley,  who  afterwards  married  George  W.  Pittman,  Jr. 


209 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Allen,  Miss  A.  J.,  (compiler),  Ten  years  in  Oregon. 
Travels  and  adventures  of  Doctor  E.  White  and  lady 
west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains;  with  incidents  of  two 
sea  voyages  via.  Sandwich  Islands  around  Cafe 
Horn;  containing ,  also  a  brief  history  of  the  missions 
and  settlement  of  the  country — origin  of  the  provi- 
sional government — number  and  customs  of  the  In- 
dians— incidents  witnessed  while  traversing  and  re- 
siding in  the  territory — description  of  the  soil,  pro- 
duction and  climate.  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  1850. 

[Allen  Street  Mission  House],  A  church  record  for 
Allen  Street  Mission  House,  July  4,  1 822.  MS.  New 
York  Public  Library. 

Atwood,  Rev.  A.,  The  conquerors.  Historical  sketches 
of  the  American  settlement  of  the  Oregon  country, 
embracing  facts  in  the  life  and  work  of  Rev.  Jason 
Lee,  the  pioneer  and  founder  of  American  institu- 
tions on  the  western  coast  of  North  America.  Boston, 
New  York,  Chicago,  [cl907]. 

[Ball,  John],  "Across  the  continent  seventy  years  ago," 
The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society, 
III.  Salem,  Oregon,  1902. 

Bancroft,  Hubert  Howe,  History  of  California,  7  vols. 
San  Francisco,  1886-1888. 

Bancroft,  Hubert  Howe,  History  of  Oregon,  2  vols. 
San  Francisco,  1886-1888. 

Barrows,  William,  Oregon:  the  struggle  for  possession. 
Boston,  1884  [1883]. 

Bashford,  James  W.,  The  Oregon  missions.  The  story 
of  how  the  line  was  run  between  Canada  and  the 
United  States.  New  York,  Cincinnati,  [cl918]. 

Bible 

211 


Bingham,  Hiram,  A  residence  of  twenty -one  years  in 
the  Sandwich  Islands;  or  the  civil ,  religious ,  and 
political  history  of  those  islands:  comprising  a  par- 
ticular view  of  the  missionary  operations  connected 
with  the  introduction  and  progress  of  Christianity 
and  civilization  among  the  Hawaiian  people.  Third 
edition  revised  and  corrected.  To  which  is  added  a 
table  of  missionaries  of  the  American  Board  to  the 
Sandwich  Islands.  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  1855. 
M  H  $    Brosnan,  Cornelius  James,  Jason  Lee,  prophet  of  the 

new  Oregon.  New  York,  1932. 
f*\ti/*    Canse,  John  M.,  Pilgrim  and  pioneer.  Dawn  in  the 
northwest.  New  York,  [cl930]. 

Carey,  Charles  Henry,  History  of  Oregon.  Chicago, 
Portland,  1922. 

Century  cyclopedia  of  names.  New  York,  [cl894]. 
HAH*     Christian  Advocate  and  Journal.  New  York,  1826  to 
date.  The  official  organ  of  the  American  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Christian  Science  Monitor ,  August  5,  1931,  Boston. 

Clark,  Harriet,  to  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy, 
[New  York],  October  12,  1813.  MS.  in  possession 
of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Quinlan,  Rockville  Center,  New 
York. 

Clark,  Laban,  to  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy,  [New 
York],  August  10,  1813.  MS.  in  possession  of  Mrs. 
Gertrude  Quinlan,  Rockville  Center,  New  York. 

Clark,  Laban,  to  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy,  [New 
York],  Dec.  24,  1813.  MS.  in  possession  of  Miss 
Mary  Smith,  Oakland,  California. 

Clark,  Laban,  to  George  W.  Pittman,  Troy,  [New 
York],  January  18,  1814.  MS.  in  possession  of  Mrs. 
Gertrude  Quinlan,  Rockville  Center,  New  York. 


212 


American  Pioneer  Cabin 


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An  Indian  Canoe  Tomb 


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END  OF  A  LETTER  BY  JASON  LEE 


Conrad,  Howard  L.,  (editor),  Encyclopedia  of  the  his- 
tory of  Missouri.  A  compendium  of  history  and 
Biography  for  ready  reference.  New  York,  Louis- 
ville, St.  Louis,  1901. 

Dye,  Eva  Emery,  McLoughlin  and  old  Oregon.  A 
chronicle.  Chicago,  1900. 

Edwards,  P.  L.,  Diary  of  P.  L.  Edwards.  MS.  copy, 
Bancroft  Library. 

Eells,  Myra  F.,  "Jourmd  of  Myra  F.  Eells.  Kept  while 
passing  through  the  United  States  and  over  the 
Rocky  Mountains  in  the  spring  and  summer  of 
1838."  Transactions  of  the  Seventeenth  Annual  Re- 
union of  the  Oregon  Pioneer  Association  for  1889. 
Portland,  Oregon,  1890. 

[Fourth  Street  Church] .  A  register  of  baptisms  for  the 
Fourth  Street  Church.  New  York,  Oct.  18th,  1811. 
MS.  New  York  Public  Library.  This  book  was  be- 
gun by  Rev.  Laban  Clark,  who  was  the  minister  at 
this  church  during  the  year  1811-1812. 

Gray,  W.  H.,  A  history  of  Oregon  1792-1849.  Drawn 
from  personal  observation  and  authentic  information. 
Portland,  Oregon,  1870. 

Gray,  W.  H.,  to  Rev.  David  Greene ;  Fort  Hall,  July 
30,  1838.  MS.  Andover-Harvard  Theological 
Library. 

Gray,  William  H.,  to  Henry  Hill,  Esq.,  Fort  Hall, 
July  30,  1838,  [regarding  draft  in  favor  of  E.  G. 
Curtis] .  MS.  Andover-Harvard  Theological  Library. 

Gray,  William  H.,  to  Henry  Hills,  Esqre.,  Fort  Hall, 
July  30,  1838,  [regarding  draft  in  favor  of  Paul 
Richardson].  MS.  Andover-Harvard  Theological 
Library. 

Harvey,  Mrs.  Daniel,  Life  of  John  McLoughlin.  MS. 
Bancroft  Library. 

213 


Hinckley,  William  S.,  to  Nathan  Spear,  Esq.,  Hono- 
lulu, Feb.  9,  1837.  MS.  Bancroft  Library. 

Hines,  Rev.  Gustavus,  A  voyage  round  the  world:  with 
a  history  of  the  Oregon  Mission:  and  notes  of  sev- 
eral years  residence  on  the  plains,  bordering  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean:  comprising  an  account  of  interesting  ad- 
ventures among  the  Indians  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  To  which  is  appended  a  full  description 
of  Oregon  Territory,  its  geography,  history,  and  re- 
ligion; designed  for  the  benefit  of  emigrants  to  that 
rising  country.  Buffalo,  1850. 

Hines,  H.  K.,  Missionary  history  of  the  Pacific  North- 
west, containing  the  wonderful  story  of  Jason  Lee, 
with  sketches  of  many  of  his  co-laborers  all  illustrat- 
ing life  on  the  plains  and  in  the  mountains  in  pioneer 
days.  Portland,  cl899. 

Holman,  Frederick  V.,  Dr.  John  McLoughlin,  the 
father  of  Oregon.  Cleveland,  1907. 

Journal  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  July  15, 
1835,  to  May  31,  1841.  MS.  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  New  York 
City. 

~Lee,  Daniel,  to  Dear  Bro.,  [probably  Dr.  Nathan 
Bangs],  Nov.  25,  1835;  and  Honolulu,  Dec.  20, 
1835.  MSS.  The  Board  of  Home  Missions  and 
Church  Extension  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Philadelphia. 

Lee,  D.,  and  Frost,  J.  H.,  Ten  years  in  Oregon.  New 
York,  1844. 

Lee,  Rev.  Jason,  "Diary  of  Rev.  Jason  Lee,"  The 
Quarterly  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society,  XVII. 
Portland,  Oregon,  1916. 

214 


Lee,  Jason,  to  Daniel  Lee,  Vancouver,  April  13,  1842. 
MS.  Oregon  Historical  Society  Library. 

Lee,  Jason,  Report  of  Jason  Lee  to  the  Mission  Board 
in  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  beginning  January 
1,  1844.  MS.  Oregon  Historical  Society  Library. 

Lee,  Jason,  Will  of  Jason  Lee.  MS.  copy,  Oregon  His- 
torical Society  Library. 

McLoughlin,  Dr.  John,  Private  papers  of  Dr.  John 
McLoughlin.  MS.  copy,  Bancroft  Library. 
M    ^    [Methodist  Episcopal  Church] ,  Minutes  of  the  annual 
conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for 
the  year  1866.  New  York. 

"The  Mission  Record  Book  of"  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Willamette  Station,  Oregon  Territory, 
North  America,  commenced  1834."  Introduction  by 
Charles  Henry  Carey.  The  Quarterly  of  the  Oregon 
Historical  Society ,  XXIII.  Eugene,  Oregon,  1923. 
This  item  is  commonly  referred  to  as  "Oregon  Mis- 
sion Record  Book." 

The  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Fifteenth  annual  report  1834.  New  York, 
1834. 

Seventeenth  annual  report  1836.  Treasurer's  report. 
New  York,  1836. 

Eighteenth  annual  report  1837.  Treasurer's  report. 
New  York,  1837. 

Twentieth  annual  report  1839.  Treasurer's  account. 
New  York,  1839. 

New  England  Christian  Herald,  IV.  (Later  Zion's 
Herald). 

Odell,  Mrs.  W.  H.,  A  semi-centennial  offering  to  the 
members  and  friends  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  Salem,  Oregon.  Portland,  Oregon,  n.  d. 

215 


"Oregon  Mission  Record  Book."  See  "The  Mission 
Record  Book  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church." 

Pacific  Christian  Advocate ;  November  27,  1889.  Port- 
land, Oregon. 

Palladino,  Lawrence  B.,  Indian  and  white  in  the  North- 
west; or  a  history  of  catholicity  in  Montana.  Balti- 
more, 1894. 

Parker,  Rev.  Samuel,  Journal  of  an  exploring  tour  be- 
yond the  Rocky  Mountains,  under  the  direction  of 
the  A.  B.C.  F.  M.  performed  in  the  years  1 835,  '36, 
and  37;  containing  a  description  of  the  geography, 
geology,  climate,  and  productions;  and  the  number, 
manners,  and  customs  of  the  natives.  With  a  map  of 
Oregon  Territory.  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  1838. 

Pittman,  Amos,  to  his  mother,  San  Francisco,  Oct. 
20/49 ;  Sacramento  City,  Dec.  26/49;  In  the  woods, 
Nov.  29/50;  Culloma,  May  11,  52;  and  Culloma, 
May  27th/52.  MSS.  in  possession  of  Mrs.  Gertrude 
Quinlan,  Rockville  Center,  New  York. 

Pittman,  George  W.  to  George  Pittman,  [his  son], 
Troy,  [New  York],  July  8,  1834.  MS.  in  possession 
of  Mrs.  Gertrude  Quinlan,  Rockville  Center,  New 
York. 

Pittman,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.,  [Jr.],  Marriage 
certificate  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Pittman, 
[Jr.].  MS.  in  possession  of  Mrs.  Mary  Louise  Jones, 
Newberg,  Oregon. 

Pittman,  M.  E.,  to  George  W.  Pittman  [her  brother], 
New  York,  April  17th,  1834  A.  D.  MS.  Oregon 
Historical  Society  Library. 

Roberts,  George  B.,  Recollections  of  George  B.  Rob- 
erts. MS.  Bancroft  Library. 


216 


Shefard,  Cyrus,  to  Susan  Downing,  Mission  House, 
Willamette  River,  Oregon  teritory,  Sept.  1835.  MS. 
in  possession  of  Mrs.  Clara  S.  N.  Traxler,  Creswell, 
Oregon. 

Sprague,  William  B.,  Annals  of  the  American  Metho- 
dist fulfit;  or  commemorative  notices  of  distin- 
guished clergymen  of  the  Methodist  denomination 
in  the  United  States,  from  its  commencement  to  the 
close  of  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-five. 
New  York,  1861. 

Thurston,  Charles  Myrick,  Descendents  of  John  Pit- 
man, the  first  of  the  name  in  the  colony  of  Rhode 
Island.  New  York,  1868. 

Thwaites,  Reuben  Gold,  Early  western  travels,  XXI. 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  1905. 

Townsend,  John  K.,  "Narrative  of  a  journey  across  the 
Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Columbia  River  and  a  visit 
to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  Chili,  &  c.  with  a  scientific 
appendix."  Thwaites,  Reuben  Gold,  Early  Western 
Travels,  XXI.  Cleveland,  Ohio,  1905. 

Troy  Post,  April  27,  1 8 1 3 ;  November  23,  1 8 1 3 ;  April 
12,  1814;  June  21,  1814;  November  14,  1814;  and 
December  20,  1814.  Troy,  New  York. 

"Whitman,  Mrs.  Narcissa,  to  Mary  Ann,  Cher  sister], 
Wieletpoo,  Walla  Walla  River,  Oregon  Territory, 
Sept.  28,  1838,"  Transactions  of  the  Nineteenth  An- 
nual Reunion  of  the  Oregon  Pioneer  Association  for 
1891. 

Wilson,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  "Recollections,"  Oregon 
Sketches.  MS.  Bancroft  Library. 

Wyeth,  Nathaniel  J.,  "The  correspondence  and  jour- 
nals of  Captain  Nathaniel  J.  Wyeth,  1831-6." 
Sources  of  the  History  of  Oregon,  I.  Eugene,  Ore- 
gon, 1897-99. 

217 


Zion's  Herald.  (Formerly  New  England  Christian 
Herald).  Boston,  1823  to  date.  It  is  a  Methodist 
paper,  but  not  an  official  organ  of  the  church. 


218 


INDEX 


Agriculture  at  Oregon  Mission, 
20-21,    141. 

American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions,  3.0  n.  4, 
88,  93  n.  10  and  11,  138  n.  13, 
143  n.  2,  180  n.  3,  181  n.  9. 

Astor,  John  Jacob,  3,  12  n.  1,  28, 
47,  71  n.  4,  154  n.   5  and  10. 


Bangs,  Dr.  Nathan,  90,  105,  108 
n.  5,  122,  123  n.  2,  143,  188, 
190,  196;  letter  of,  186. 

Beaver,  Rev.  Herbert,  171,  174-175 
n.  6. 

Beers,  Alanson,  56,  57  n.  14,  136, 
141,  171,  174  n.  2;  appointment 
of,  27;  family  of,  33. 

Bingham,  Rev.  Hiram,  41,  42,  44, 
134,  135,  138  n.  13,  148. 

Birney,  James,  56  n.  7,   154  n.  7. 

Bishop,  Rev.  Artemus,  45,  146, 
149  n.  2. 

Board  of  Managers  of  the  Mission- 
ary Society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  (Mission 
Board),  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  32, 
35,  55,  58,  62,  74,  75,  94  n.  14, 
100  n.  4,  107,  108  n.  3,  109  n. 
6  and  8,  123  n.  1  and  2,  124  n. 
8,  160  n.  7,  168  n.  1,  196  n.  2; 
changes  name  of  mission,  160 
n.  7. 

Boston,  29,  .30,  31  n.  15,  32,  33, 
34,  36,  38,  41,  43  n.  16,  47, 
102,  104,  107  n.  3,  108  n.  3, 
109  n.  7,  123,  125,  128,  138  n. 
13,  140,  153  n.  2,  165  n.  6; 
"Boston  Light,"  37. 


California,  72,  118,  154  n.  7,  155 
n.  11,  157,  163. 

Cattle,  72,   154,   163,   164  n.   5. 
Clark,  General  William,  6. 
Chamberlain,    Mrs.    Levi,    42,    45, 


134-135,    138    n.    15,    146,    149 

n.  6. 
Champoeg,  54,  68,  71  n.  4. 
Columbia  River,  8,  12,  16,  18,  48, 

49,  108  n.  3,  150,  154  n.  4  and 

7,   160  n.  7. 
Curtis,  E.  G.,  88,  93  n.  11. 

Dfona,  the,  46,  47,  48,  49,  50,  53, 
153  n.  2,  175  n.  8. 

Diell,  Rev.  John,  138  n.  18. 

Douglas,  James,  86,  177,  178,  180 
n.  2. 

Downing,  Susan,  33,  54,  55,  56, 
73,  74,  91,  102  n.  1,  105,  107- 
108  n.  3,  180,  181  n.  8;  ap- 
pointed missionary,  107  n.  3; 
bakes  royal  wedding  cake,  46', 
honeymoon  trip,  69-71;  marriage 
of,  62,  65 ;  requested  to  go  to 
Oregon,  108  n.  3. 

Dunn,  John,  50,  152,  154  n.  7. 

Edwards,  Philip  L.,  9,  16,  75,  100 

n.  4,  168  n.   1. 
Emerson,  Rev.  John  S.,   145,    146, 

149  n.   5. 
England,  137,  162,  166,  171,  175, 

178,  180  n.  6. 

Fish,  Dr.  Wilbur,  7,  8,  188. 

Flathead  Mission,  See  Oregon  Mis- 
sion. 

Flitch  of  bacon  (Dunmow),  178, 
180-181  n.  6. 

French  Prairie,  54. 

Fort  Astoria,  See  Fort  George. 

Fort  George,  49,  50,  124  n.  8, 
152,  154  n.  6  and  7,  197. 

Fort  Hall,    10,   17,   87,  88. 

Fort  Vancouver,  12,  15,  16,  17, 
21,  26,  51,  53,  59,  79,  86,  89, 
93  n.  6,  94  n.  20,  108  n.  3, 
124  n.  3  and  8,  137,  152,  154 
n.  9,  155  n.  11,  156,  163,  164 
n.   4,    168  n.  1,    174,    175  n.   6 


219 


and  10,  180  n.  2,  199  n.  1;  first 
mission  reenforcement  at,  50-53; 
prices  at,  163-164. 
Fort  Wallahwallah,  11. 


55,  62,  72-73,  157;  Indian  girl 
named  for  Anna  Maria  Pittman, 
90-91;  Nez  Perce',  10,  17;  vis- 
ited by  Jason  Lee,  176  n.  14. 


Gervais,  Joseph,   20,  69,  71  n.  4. 

Gray,   William   H.,   87,   93   n.    10 

and  11,  94  n.   14,  142  n.  2. 


Hamilton,  the,  29,  34,  35,  37,  38, 
39,  40,  41,  102,  108  n.  3,  109 
n.  7,  119,  123  n.  1,  160  n.  7; 
description  of,  105;  services  on, 
127. 

Harvey,  Daniel,   155  n.   11. 

Hauxhurst,  Webley,  66. 

Hawley,  Henrietta,   164  n.   1,  209. 

Hedding,  Bishop  Elijah,  8,  25,  27, 
121,  124  n.  6  and  8,  188. 

Hinckley,  William  S.,  50,  53,  150, 
152,  156,  158,  159  n.  1;  com- 
mands the  Diana,  47. 

Hines,  Rev.  Gustavus;  missionary 
to  Oregon,  17,  199  n.  3. 

Honolulu,  30,  41,  42,  43  n.  16,  44, 
45,  46,  47,  48,  56  n.  2,  58,  138 
n.  13,  14  and  18,  139  n.  19,  168 
n.  4,  175  n.  8,  199  n.  3;  Anna 
Maria  Pittman  arrives  in,  134- 
135;  church  services  at,  135,  141. 

Hudson's  Bay  Company,  12,  20, 
28,  49,  71  n.  4,  75,  86,  87,  123 
n.  3,  154  n.  6,  8,  9  and  10,  155 
n.  11,  175  n.  6,  176  n.  14;  Hud- 
son's Bay  post,   11. 


Indians,  5,  7,  10,  11,  16,  21,  22, 
49,  53,  63,  65,  68,  70,  73-74, 
75,  78,  86,  87,  151,  152,  157, 
168  n.  1,  169,  175  n.  6,  176  n. 
14,  195;  attack  messengers,  188; 
Flathead,  5,  6,  7,  10,  12,  17,  18, 
19,  23  n.  8,  100  n.  4;  Flathead 
and  Nez  Perce'  Indians  visit  St. 
Louis,  6,  13  n.  6;  Indian  chil- 
dren at  mission,  20,  21,  22,  54, 


Johnson,  Elvira,  30,  33,  56,  86, 
103  n.  1,  104,  107  n.  1,  157, 
159,  161  n.  8,  170,  171,  174  n. 
5,  185  n.  2,  195;  appointed 
teacher,  27;  letter  of,  184-185. 


Kamehameha  III,  46. 


Lausanne,  the,  193  n.  3,  196  n.  5, 
200  n.  5. 

Lee,  Rev.  Daniel,  16,  18,  25,  42, 
54,  55,  62,  64,  66,  71  n.  4,  86, 
100  n.  4,  104,  136,  137,  139  n. 
19,  141,  156,  159  and  n.  3,  160 
n.  7,  172,  195;  goes  to  Hawaii 
for  health,  21;  marries,  196  n. 
5;  preparations  for  trip  to  Ore- 
gon, 8-9;  selected  as  missionary, 
8;  trip  to  Oregon,  9-12. 

Lee,  Mrs.  Jason,  See  Anna  Maria 
Pittman. 

Lee,  Mrs.  Jason  (second),  189, 
191,  193  n.  1,  199  n.  2;  death 
of,    197. 

Lee,  Rev.  Jason,  20,  28,  32,  46,  50, 
51,  57  n.  9  and  13,  68-69,  71  n. 
4,  82,  87,  91,  93  n.  6,  94  n.  12 
and  14,  100  n.  4,  102  n.  1,  104, 
108  n.  3,  109  n.  7  and  8,  124 
n.  4,  137  and  n.  5,  139  n.  19, 
141,  149  n.  7,  153,  156,  157, 
158,  159  n.  2,  163,  164,  167, 
170,  174,  175  n.  10  and  11, 
176  n.  14,  180  n.  1,  181  n.  8, 
182,  184,  185  n.  1,  186,  193  n. 
1,  196  n.  2,  199  n.  1 ;  at  Fort 
Vancouver,  12;  at  Fort  Wallah- 
wallah, 11-12;  conducts  first  re- 
enforcement  to  mission,  53-55; 
courtship  of,  58,  61;  daughter 
of,   198,   199  n.  2  and   3;  death 


220 


of,  199  n.  3;  departure  of,  78, 
83  n.  13,  168  n.  1;  established 
Oregon  Mission,  15-24;  grand- 
daughter of,  198,  199  n.  3; 
greets  mission  family,  52-53;  his 
home,  156;  holds  Sunday  serv- 
ices at  Fort  Hall,  1 1 ;  honey- 
moon trip,  69-71;  in  Rio  de  Ja- 
neiro, 192;  introduced  to  Anna 
Maria,  59;  justifies  second  mar- 
riage, 187-189;  letters  of,  187- 
200;  letters  to,  169-181;  mar- 
riage of,  62-64;  meetings  with 
Indians  en  route  to  Oregon,  10, 
11;  meets  Anna  Maria,  52-53; 
message  to,  86-89;  ordination 
of,  7;  plans  trip  to  United 
States,  74-75;  preparations  for 
trip  to  Oregon,  8-9;  reasons  for 
not  establishing  mission  among 
the  Flatheads,  17-19;  receives 
message,  89;  requests  reenforce- 
ments,  25-26;  selected  as  mis- 
sionary, 7;  selects  site  for  mis- 
sion, 15-16;  successful  marriage, 
74;  supplements  salary,  196  n. 
2;  trip  to  Oregon,  9-12;  trips  to 
United  States,  78,  86,  89,  90, 
199  n.  3;  views  on  marriage,  58- 
59;  visit  to  United  States,  168 
n.  1. 

Leslie,  Mrs.  David,  79,  80,  171, 
174  n.  2,  177,  199  n.  1. 

Leslie,  Rev.  David,  85,  124  n.  8, 
136,  173,  174  and  n.  3,  175  n. 
11,  197,  199  n.  1. 


McLoughlin,  Dr.  John,  12,  15,  16, 
26,  75,  93  n.  6,  154  n.  9  and 
10,  171,  175  n.  6,  180  n.  2; 
description  of,  51;  entertains 
mission  family,  50-53;  meets 
missionaries,  152. 

McLoughlin,  Mrs.  John,  51,  153, 
154-155  n.  10. 

McLoughlin,  Maria  Eloise,  51,  153, 
155  n.  11. 

McKay,  Alexander,   154  n.   10. 

McKay,  Baptiste  Desportes,  54. 


McKay,  Thomas,  11,  171,  174  n.  1. 

May  Dacre,  the,  8,  12. 

Menus,  55,  126,  127,  129,  134, 
135,   141,   153,   156. 

Mission  Board,  See  Board  of  Man- 
agers of  the  Missionary  Society 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Mission  family,  See  reenforcements 
to  Oregon  Mission. 


New  York  City,  4,  5,  6,  8,  34, 
38,  44,  52,  59,  66,  90,  94  n.  14, 
104,  106,  110,  116,  123  n.  1, 
124  n.  7,  127,  128,  133,  138  n. 
17,  147,  160  n.  7,  165  n.  6,  193 
n.  3,  197,  199  n.  3. 

Nuttall,  Thomas,  9. 


Oahu,  41,  45,  47,   134,    150,   160 

n.  7,   174. 
Oregon   country    (Oregon),    3,    5, 

6,  7,  18,  21,  25,  27,  28,  29, 
30,  32,  35,  38,  42,  45,  46,  47, 
48,  50,  55,  57  n.  9,  58,  59,  62, 
64,  70,  71  n.  4,  73,  74,  75,  76, 
81,  82,  85,  86,  89,  90,  91,  103 
n.  1  and  3,  104,  105,  106,  107 
n.  3,  108  n.  3,  4  and  6,  123  n. 
2,  127,  133,  137,  150,  154  n.  7, 
and   10,   155  n.   11,    160-161   n. 

7,  165  n.  6,  188,  194,  196  n.  2- 
and  5,  199  n.  3;  first  commun- 
ion service  in,  62,  66;  first  white 
woman  married  in,  64,  85. 

Oregon  Mission  (Willamette  Mis- 
sion), 5,  6,  8,  29,  30  n.  4,  36, 
42,  51,  71  n.  4,  88,  90,  94  n. 
20,  107  n.  2  and  3,  108  n.  3 
and  6,  156,  160  n.  7,  163,  175  n. 
8  and  10,  180  n.  1,  185  n.  2,  186, 
193  n.  3,  195,  200  n.  5;  agri- 
culture at,  20-21,  141;  establish- 
ment of,  15-24;  Indian  children 
at,  20-22,  54-55,  72-73,  1.41, 
157;  missionaries  for,  124  n.  8; 
name    changed     from     Flathead 


221 


Mission,  26,  160  n.  7;  need  for 
reenforcements,  22,  25-26;  needs 
of,  75 ;  reasons  for  founding,  5- 
7 ;  reasons  for  not  establishing 
among  Flathead  Indians,  16-19; 
reenforcement  (first),  27,  29-30, 
33-34,  35-42,  49-50,  50-53,  54- 
55,  74,  102,  108  n.  3,  109  n. 
7,  125-139,  185  n.  2;  reenforce- 
ment (second),  103  n.  1,  124 
n.  8,  138  n.  14,  153,  185  n.  2, 
199  n.  1;  reenforcement  (third), 
193  n.  3;  selection  of  site,  15- 
16;  sends  Jason  Lee  east,  168  n. 
1;  Sunday  services  at,  73-74; 
supplies  for,  117;  strangely 
dressed  baby  at,  73-74. 

Oregon  Mission  House,  54,  62,  69, 
73,  124  n.  8;  addition  to,  22; 
description  of,  19-20;  enlarged, 
55,   56;  erection  of,  19. 

Oregon  Trail,  9. 

Otheman,  Rev.  Bartholomew,   36. 


Pacific  Fur  Company,  3,  28,  154 
n.  5  and  10;  overland  party  of, 
71  n.  4. 

Pamburn,  Pierre  C,  11. 

Parker,  Rev.  Samuel,  31  n.  4. 

Perkins,  Mrs.  H.  K.  W,  See  El- 
vira Johnson. 

Perkins,  Rev.  H.  K.  W.,  86,  103 
n.  1,  124  n.  8,  175  n.  11,  178, 
180  n.  1  and  5,  185  n.  2,  195. 

Pittman,  Anna  Maria,  3,  4,  13  n. 
3,  27-28,  33,  38,  39,  40,  57  n. 
9,  67,  68-69,  86,  89-90,  93  n. 
1,  94  n.  14  and  20,  102  n.  1, 
162,  166,  168  n.  4,  169,  181  n. 
8,  183  n.  1,  188,  190,  194,  195, 
197,  198;  appointed  teacher,  27; 
arrives  in  Boston,  30,  31  n.  15; 
arrives  in  Honolulu,  134-135; 
arrives  in  Oregon,  49-50;  ar- 
rives at  Oregon  Mission,  54-55; 
assigned  to  domestic  duties,  56, 
157;  at  school,  97;  attitudes  to- 
ward Jason  Lee's  trip,  75-78; 
birth    and    death    of    son,    84; 


birthday  of,  39,  129;  brothers 
and  sisters,  4,  29,  35,  81,  103 
n.  2  and  3,  106-107,  110-111, 
115-118,  128,  137  n.  2  and  4, 
148,  149,  150-153,  162,  168, 
182,  183,  194,  207;  conversion 
of,  5 ;  courtship  of,  58-61 ;  death 
of,  85,  184,  186;  describes  leav- 
ing Boston,  125;  description  of, 
33-34;  desires  to  become  a  mis- 
sionary, 5 ;  education  of,  4 ;  ex- 
penses of,  123  n.  2;  funeral  of, 
85-86;  health  of,  79,  80,  153, 
178,  179;  her  religious  faith, 
105-106,  107,  110-111,  114,  120, 
131,  147,  158,  159,  173;  her 
tombstone,  91-92;  hints  of  mar- 
riage, 28,  32-33,  35,  46,  58, 
105,  109  n.  8,  121,  124  n.  4, 
147,  149  n.  7;  honeymoon  trip, 
69-71;  household  duties,  72-73, 
78,  163;  ideas  of  matrimony, 
178;  in  Boston,  34-35,  104;  in 
Honolulu,  135-136,  141-142, 
146-148;  illness  of,  130,  140; 
letters  of,  97,  183;  letters  of 
sympathy  on  death  of,  184-186; 
marriage  of,  62-64;  marriage 
mentioned,  158;  meets  Jason 
Lee,  52-53;  namesake  of,  90-91; 
one  year  a  missionary,  72-83; 
place  of  burial,  85,  92;  poems 
of,  29,  34,  61,  77-78,  99,  111, 
202-209;  portrait  of,  103  n.  3; 
purchase  of  supplies,  122,  147; 
receives  letters,  79-80;  salary, 
28-29,  105,  119,  123  n.  2;  se- 
lected as  wife  for  Jason  Lee,  28 ; 
spends  winter  in  Honolulu,  44- 
47;  teaches  Sabbath  School,  73; 
tells  of  crew,  126;  tells  of  re- 
ligious services,  127,  135,  142- 
143;  trip  to  Boston,  30,  104; 
trip  from  Fort  Vancouver  to 
Oregon  Mission,  53-55,  156; 
voyage  from  Boston  to  Hono- 
lulu, 35-42,  125-139;  voyage 
from  Honolulu  to  Oregon,  47- 
50,  150-153;  writes  letters,  79- 
81. 


222 


Pittman,  Francis  Asbury,  113  n.  1, 
116;  letter  to,  110-113. 

Pittman,  George  Washington,  3, 
12  n.  1,  13  n.  2,  21,  86,  103 
n.  3,  137  n.  3;  letters  to,  119- 
139,  145-149,  156-161,  184-186, 
194-200;  poems  to,  203-204, 
206. 

Pittman,  Mrs.  George  Washington, 
4,  29,  31  n.  15,  86;  letters  to, 97, 
104-109,  119-139,  145-149,  156- 
161,  166-168,  184-186,  187-193, 
194-200;  poems  to,  203-205. 

Pittman,  George  Washington,  Jr., 
29,  74,  86,  99  n.  1,  103  n.  3, 
116,  162,  164  n.  1,  167;  letters 
to,  98,   103,  162-165. 

Portland,  Oregon,  53,  103  n.  3, 
155  n.   11,  199  n.  3. 


Rae,  William  Glen,  155  n.  11. 

Reenforcement  to  Oregon  Mission 
(first),  74,  102,  108  n.  3,  109 
n.  7,  185  n.  2;  arrives  in  Bos- 
ton, 31 ;  arrives  in  Fort  Van- 
couver, 50-53;  arrives  in  Hono- 
lulu, 134;  arrives  in  Oregon, 
49-50;  at  Oregon  Mission,  54- 
55;  assembles  in  New  York,  29- 
30;  departure  from  Boston,  35- 
37;  members  of,  33-34,  102-103 
n.  1 ;  selection  of,  27 ;  voyage 
from  Boston  to  Honolulu,  35-42, 
125-139;  voyage  from  Honolulu 
to  Oregon,  47-50,  150-153. 

Reenforcement  to  Oregon  Mission 
(second),  103  n.  1,  124  n.  8, 
138  n.  14,  153,  174  n.  3,  185 
n.   2,    199  n.    1. 

Reenforcement  to  Oregon  Mission 
(third),  193  n.  3,  200  n.  5. 

Richardson,  Paul,  93  n.  10  and  11; 
carries  message  to  Jason  Lee,  87- 
89. 

Richmond,  Rev.  J.  P.,  198,  200 
n.   5. 

Rocky  Mountains,  7,  8,  9,  21,  59, 
88,  110,  141,  144  n.  2,  164, 
168  n.  1,  175  n.  10. 


Roe,  Charles,  65. 
Rogers,  Elvira,   160  n.  7. 


Sandwich  Islands,  22,  25,  29,  32, 
40,  41,  53,  81,  104,  108  n.  3, 
109  n.  7,  119,  123  n.  1,  133, 
135,  137  n.  1,  138  n.  11,  13, 
14  and  15,  145,  149  n.  2  and 
5,  153  n.  2,  157,  160  n.  7,  167, 
182,  194,  196  n.  3,  199  n.  3. 

Shepard,  Cyrus,  33,  55,  56,  68, 
69,  91,  100  n.  4,  102  n.  1,  105, 
107,  108  n.  3,  157,  169,  174, 
175  n.  8,  181  n.  8;  honeymoon 
trip,  69-71 ;  marriage  of,  62,  65 ; 
opens  first  Sabbath  School  west 
of  Rocky  Mountains,  21;  re- 
mains at  Fort  Vancouver,  16,  21 ; 
selected  to  go  to  Oregon  Mis- 
sion, 8;  teaches  school  at  mis- 
sion, 21. 

Shepard,  Mrs.  Cyrus,  See  Susan 
Downing. 

Smith,  Rev.  Lowell,  41,  134,  138 
n.  14. 

Spalding,  Mrs.  H.  H.,   177,  180. 

Spalding,  Rev.  H.  H.,  87,  143  n. 
2,   180  n.   3. 

Spaulding,  Rev.  Rufus,  35,  119, 
121,    193   n.    1. 

St.  Louis,  6,  8,  9,  88. 

Sublette,   Milton,    9. 


Taro,   135,   138  n.  16. 

The  Dalles,   195,   196  n.   5. 

Thing,  Joseph,  9,   165  n.  6, 

Tonquin,  the,  3,  154  n.  10. 

Townsend,  John  K.,  9. 

Troy,  New  York,  4,  97  n.  1,  103 

n.  3,  117  n.  6,  118  n.  7. 
Van  Order,  Rev.  Harvey,  27,   108 

n.  4. 
Walker,   Courtney  M.,  9,    16,   100 

n.  4. 
Wascopum  Mission,  86,  175  n.  11, 

180  n.  1. 
Westport,  Missouri,  87,  89,  94  n. 

13. 


223 


White,  Dr.  Elijah,  38,  39,  45,  46, 
47,  50,  51,  54,  79,  84,  93  n. 
1,  105,  108-109  n.  6  and  7,  127, 
134,  136,  138  n.  8,  141,  145, 
146,  149  n.  3,  152,  153,  171, 
174  n.  4,  179;  and  family,  33; 
appointed  to  Oregon  Mission, 
27;  conducts  funeral,  41,  133, 
142;  heads  first  reenforcement, 
32;  wedding  anniversary  of,  129. 

White,  Mrs.  Elijah,  32,  33,  39,  43 
n.  21,  45,  50,  51,  56,  86,  93 
n.  1,  102  n.  1,  105,  121,  145, 
146,  152,  153,  157,  184. 

Whitcomb,  J.  L.,  53,  171,  175  n. 
8. 

Whitman,  Rev.  Marcus,  143  n.  2, 
181  n.  9. 

Whitman  Mission,  87,  93  n.  1, 
181  n.  9. 


Whitney,  Samuel,  150,  153  n.  2. 
Wilkes,   Capt.   Charles,    196  n.    1, 

197. 
Willamette  Falls,  53,  54,  156. 
Willamette  Cattle  Company,  154  n. 

7,  163,  164  n.  5. 
Willamette    Mission,    See    Oregon 

Mission. 
Willamette  River,   15,   16,   19,   30 

n.  4,   53,  63,  68,  69,  71   n.   2 

and  4,   156. 
Willson,  William  H.,  27,  33,   38, 

39,  41,  45,  56,  57  n.  13  and  14, 

65,  79,  104,  107  n.  2,  126,  133, 

134,  138  n.  9,  146,  172,  175  n. 

8;  settles  quarrel,  169. 
Wyeth,   Nathaniel,   8,   9,    10,    11, 

12,  16,  17,  165  n.  6. 


Snake  River  Near  the  Site  of  Fort  Hall 
See  page  935 

"A  Sermon  in  the  Wilderness'* 


.**•; 

ZIONS 


HERALD 

i 

THE  INDEPENDENT  METHODIST  WEEKLY 


VOLUME    CXV 


PUBLISHED    BY    THE    BOSTON    WESLEYAN    ASSOCIATION 


Boston,   WednStdaj,  July  28,  1937 


NUMBER    3C 


A  Sermon  in  M)e  Wilderness 

PREACHElf  B>*JASON    LEE 

Vesta  P.  Crawford 


More  than  a  hundred  years  ago  a  great  missionary 
stood  upon  the  banks  of  Snake  River  in  the  western  wil- 
derness and  delivered  one  of  the  world's  most  famous  ser- 
mons. Jason  Lee,  a  Methodist  missionary,  stood  within  a 
grove  of  poplar  trees  and  delivered  the  first  Protestant 
sermon  ever  heard  in  public  worship  on  the  banks  of 
waters  flowing  to  the  Pacific. 

Let  us  turn  back  the  pages  of  history  to  that  momentous 
day  when  the  gospel  was  first  carried  to  the  men  of  the 
Rocky  Mountain  wilderness.  It  is  said  that  brave  and 
courageous  deeds  live  forever,  and  this  is  true  of  the 
accomplishments  of  the  valiant  Jason  Lee.  His  name  is 
highly  honored  by  church  and  state  as  a  builder  of  the 
American  Northwest.  Let  us,  then,  look  upon  one  of 
Jason  Lee's  historic  deeds.  It  is  the  twenty-seventh  day  of 
July  in  the  year  1834.  The  vast  territory  between  the  Mis- 
souri River  and  the  Pacific  Ocean  is  a  wild  land  of  snow- 
clad  ranges  and  green  upland  valleys  interspersed  with 
barren  deserts.  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  and  Independence, 
Missouri,  are  the  far  frontier  of  the  United  States.  Beyond 
these  outposts,  only  fur  traders  and  mountaineers  and  red 
men  roam.  There  are  no  towns,  no  churches.  The  lonely 
Oregon  Trail  is  a  pathway  not  yet  traversed  in  all  its  parts 
by  wagon  wheels.  The  United  States  does  not  stretch  in  a 
broad  union  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  the  traders  of  the 
British  company  of  Hudson's  Bay  are  laying  claim  to  the 
rich  Northwest. 

In  the  midst  of  this  wilderness,  upon  the  banks  of  Snake 
River,  Jason  Lee  stands  to  deliver  the  first  Protestant  ser. 
mon  in  the  mountain  vastness.  The  Snake  River  comes 
from  a  high  source  among  the  skyward  peaks  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  winds  a  treacherous  course  through 
dark  gorges  to  join  the  wide  Columbia  upon  its  unmeas- 
ured way  to  the  Pacific.  There  is  another  stream,  the  Port 
Neuf,  which  empties  its  swift  flood  into  the  Snake,  and  it 
is  here,  near  the  junction  of  the  two  rivers,  that  Jason  Lee 
is  to  deliver  his  sermon;  here  he  will  conduct  public  wor- 
ship. He  has  selected  a  shady  spot  beneath  the  tall  poplar 
trees,  and  before  him  on  the  grass  sits  a  motley  assem- 
blage of  mountain  men.  Some  of  them  have  never  heard  a 


preacher;  many  have  not  seen  the  Bible;  others  have  long 
ago  forgotten  the  words  of  the  gospel. 

Thirty  Indians,  in  their  beaded  buckskin  clothes  and 
war  bonnets  made  of  eagle  feathers,  sit  quietly  looking  at 
the  man  who  has  brought  them  the  Bible,  which  they  call 
"The  White  Man's  Book  of  Heaven."  Some  forty  white 
men  are  here  assembled.  They  are  traders  and  trappers 
and  mountaineers,  men  well  acquainted  with  the  perilous 
trails  of  the  West.  Here  sits  Thomas  McKay  of  the  pow- 
erful Hudson's  Bay  Company,  a  fur  trader  famous 
throughout  these  mountains  and  westward  to  the  sea. 
Here  is  a  scientist,  John  K.  Townsend,  who  has  come  into 
the  wilderness  to  study  the  plants  and  animals  and  rocks. 
Here  is  Nathaniel  Wyeth  of  Boston  in  whose  company 
Jason  Lee  and  his  party  have  journeyed  to  this  place. 
Wyeth  has  brought  a  large  supply  of  goods  into  the  West 
for  sale  to  the  fur  traders.  In  order  to  house  his  supplies 
until  he  can  dispose  of  them,  he  has  started  to  build  a  fort. 
The  log  walls  of  this  fort  and  the  high  watch  towers  now 
rise  in  the  course  of  construction. 

But  today  is  the  Sabbath,  and  Jason  Lee,  a  tall,  powerful 
man  of  commanding  personality,  stands  before  his  strange 
congregation.  He  is  thirty-one  years  old,  this  missionary. 
His  home  is  eastward  many,  many  miles.  He  was  born 
of  distinguished  American  parents  who  had  moved  into 
Canada,  near  the  New  England  border,  not  long  before 
the  birth  of  Jason.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  a  beautiful 
country  of  rolling  forests  framed  by  blue  mountains. 
"Brought  up  to  hard  work,"  he  made  his  own  living  after 
he  was  thirteen.  It  was  in  1826  that  he  decided  to  devote 
his  life  to  the  gospel,  and  later  he  entered  Wilbraham 
Academy  in  Massachusetts  to  prepare  himself  for  the  min- 
istry. And  now  this  young  man,  who  has  already  proved 
himself  a  person  of  rare  ability,  has  left  his  home  and  his 
friends  and  journeyed  thousands  of  miles  toward  the 
West.  Now  he  stands  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  wilderness. 
With  authority  and  reverence  and  a  deep  compassion  for 
his  congregation,  the  missionary  begins  his  service. 

Jason  Lee  stands  very  tall  and  impressive,  with  the 
Bible  in   his  hands.  Slowly   he  reads  the   words  of  the 


XShe  JOURNAL 

Journal  Publishing  Company 
Portland,  Oregon 


August  19,  1937 


Dr.  William  Wallace  Youngs on,  Pastor 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
Tillamook,  Oregon 

My  dear  Dr.  Youngson: 

There  will  be  enclosed  a  proof  of  an  article  we  intend 
to  use  on  Sunday,  concerning  Jason  Leefs  'Honeymoon  Trail. 
I  hasten  to  forward  it  to  you  in  answer  to  your  wish  for  it 
use  on  Sunday,  the  22nd,  and  the  following  Sunday. 

I  think,  were  I  in  your  place  presiding  at  such  a 
meeting  as  you  plan  and  calling  up  from  the  past  so^ 
1  glowing  and  glamorous  a  memory,  I  would  feel  a  genuine 
thrill. 


Best  wishes 


.espect  fully, 


ijjall  N.  nana 
Associate  Editor 


*ril?£rt 


AlTORffiK&UNDAY 

lMHMMaMK'll<l*l«<i  liiiitrtftW 

Jason  Lee's  Honeymoon  Trail 

Today  at  Champoeg  Oregon  Methodism 
will  meet  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Wallace  Youngson  to  commemorate 
the  romance  of  Jason  Lee  and  Anna  Maria 
Pittman.  Next  Sunday.  Dr.  Youngson  will 
again  preside  over  a  picturesque  gathering 
near  Otis,  the  junction  of  the  Oregon  Coast 
highway  and  the  Salmon  River  cut-off.  It 
will  be  on  the  spot  overlooking  the  Pacific 
ocean  where,  100  years  ago.  Jason  Lee  and 
his  bride,  in  company  with  the  newly-wed 
Cyrus  Shepard  and  Susan  Downing,  en- 
camped at  the  end  of  their  "honeymoon 

traiI-"  ,.     v  ■  , 

And  it  is  a  story  that  cannot  be  brief  in 
the  telling,  for  it  spans  the  century  and 
crosses  the  continent.  In  Boston,  in  1834. 
Jason  Lee.  a  31-year-old  Canadian-born 
Methodist  minister  who  had  heard  the  call 
to  go  unto  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
gospel,  was  appointed  by  the  New  Eng- 
land Methodist  conference  as  superin- 
tendent of  a  mission  to  the  Indians  in  the 
Oregon  Country.  Nathaniel  Wyeth,  the  fur 
trader,  guided  the  slim,  youthful  mission- 
ary along  the  game  and  Indian  trails,  and 
his  associates  were  Daniel  Lee,  Cyrus 
Shepard  and  P.  L.  Edwards. 

It  was  the  influence  of  Dr.  John  Mc- 
Loughlin,  factor  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
company,  that  caused  the  devoted  little 
party  to  change  their  plans  to  minister  to 
the  Flat  Head  and  Nez  Perce  Indians.  In- 
stead they  ascended  the  Willamette  river 
and  established  their  mission  at  Chemawa. 
where  the  Indian  school  is  now  located. 
Nearby,  on  French  Prairie,  were  the  farms 
of  French  employes  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
company. 

Not  a  few  of  the  first  comers  had  taken 
Indian  wives.  Jason  Lee  felt  that  he 
should  have  a  white  wife.  He  asked  the 
board  of  missions  in  New  England  to  select 
for  him  a  wife.  Put  yourself  in  his  place, 
and  imagine  how  you  would  feel  if  you 
were  to  ask  those  sage  and  reverend  elders 
to  pick  out  your  sweetheart  for  you!  Anna 
Maria  Pittman.  a  New  York  girl,  black- 
eyed,  black-haired,  deeply  religious,  an- 
swered the  call.  And  Cyrus  Shepard  must 
have  sent  a  similar  appeal,  for  it  appears 
that  the  winsome  Susan  Downing  was  with 
Anna  Maria,  as  in  company  with  13  mis- 
sionaries who  were  bound  for  the  Oregon 
Country,  they  sailed  on  the  ship  Diana  It 
must  have  been  an  exciting  voyage.  They 
rounded  Cape  Horn.  They  stopped  at  the 
Hawaiian,  then  known  as  the  Sandwich 
islands.  They  reached  Fort  Vancouver  at 
midnight  in  the  spring  of  1337.  Two  days 
later,  a  heavy  wind  stirred  the  water  of 
the  Columbia  into  high  waves.  Out  across 
the  tossing  surface  they  saw  two  canoes 
laboring  toward  the  shore.  In  one  of  them 
was  the  tall  figure  of  Jason  Lee 

Veracity  compels  one  to  relate  that  it 
was  not  a  case  of  love  at  first  sight.  It 
-,l=o  ^nnears  that  Jason  Lee  had  seen  Anna 


hen  "decided  she  was  the  girl  of  his 
dreams.  But  as  they  journeyed  together 
Toward  the  mission,,  and  as,  later  they  ook 
10nS^tSOVrrn1anec-ePwarsebo°rn  Jasor ,  Hee 
wrote' in  his  diary  in  the  careful  phrases 
of  a  century  ago.  "I  at  length-becam*  con- 
vinced that  she  was  eminently  qualified 
to  do  all  the  duties  and  kind  offices  of  an 
affectionate  compani  on,  and  was  worthy  of 
mv  hikhest  regard,  usteem  and  love.  .  .  i 
And  Atina  Maria  answered  with  a  verse 
of  her  own  composition: 

■■Yes.    where    thou    Boest  1^  wM  ^  BO, 
I„  pain  or  pleasure,  joy  or  woe, 
I  will  attend  thee  to  the  last. 
It  was  a  beautiful  Sabbath  at  the  little 
'  n    when  Cyrus   Shepard  and  Susan 
Downing  were  to  be    married.    Jason  Lee 
ielTvfered  a  sermon  on  "The  propriety  of 
J£3S  =md  Duties  Devolving Upor i    he 
Married"   Then,  in  somewhat  staitling  ell 
maThe  added,  '''What  I  urged 1  by  precept 
„m    ahout    to   enforce    by   example       nt 
Tasped  the  hand  of  the  girl  who  had  come 
&  him  from  New  York,  and,  as  they  stood 
ogether    Daniel  Lee  performed  the  cere- 
mony that  made  them  one. 

dait  eyed  ^°£  Xl^^eny. 
ud    at    her   tall,    athletic    young    husband 

hm0anneyyT,Xns  we%  near',  they  could  for- 
^wSStrWther  destined  to 

.-„"■  his  mission  a  messenger  brought  him 
v  n,d  tl.  .1  his  wife  had  died  as  their  baby 
But  he  kept  on,  doing  his  duty 
and  serving  his  Master  until  death  claimed 
him  in  his  42d  year. 

gSSM  eft.™  a^eal  ThTheld  the 
Oregon  Country  to  the  United  State  nv 
stead  ot  allowing  it  to  pass  under  the  flag 
of  a  foreign  power.  Jason  Lee  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  whose  courage  lead 
souls  of  men,  whose  life  helps 
the  divine  purpose  of  humanity, 
lomance  is  one  of  the  beautiful 
the  Oregon  Country. 


vhose 


Dr.  McLoughlin  introduce.!  Jasun 
the  other  members  of  the  com- 
e  he  turned  with  him  lowaul  Mis> 


Indeed,  the  board  had  wet]  known  what  It 

for  as  the  party  voyaged  up  the 

Willamette  to  the  mission  Miss  Pittman  and 

Jason  Lee  shared  the  same  canoe,  and  from 

".hi  accustomed  to  ride 

by  bis  side  when  he  was  called  av 

mm     n.m:h-\   duties.  The  Revercud  Lee  capitu- 

"lated  gladly,  and  in  no  protracted  courtship— 

but    mark    what     then    bt-fell:     Miss     PiUman 

,      M,i   prayerfully  to  search  her  mind.  She 

must   hnve  time    to  ask    for  guidance.   Yet  a 

,  ly  more,  taking  as  her 

text    the   words   of    Ruth,   she   is   discovered 

wiiting    verses    to   Jason    Lee, 

first  shall  sen 


here  for  them  all: 


Yes.  where  thou 


They 


mission 


e   married 
July,    and 
of    all— for    they    had 

..  ii  was  thuij-ht  that  only  Cyrus 
Shepard  and  Susan  Downing  were  to  be 
married  then.  Impassi 
the  ceremony 

few   minutes    latei 


the  Rev.  Dame 


Jason  Lee  united  Susan  and  Cyru&-  and 
then,  most  pleasing  to  Uieii  missionary  pur- 
pose. Nancy,  an  Indian  girl  of  the  Callapooya 
tribe,  was  married  to  Charles  Roe.  But  Anna 

,  ,n  was  the  flisi  white  woman  to 
be    married    in   all    the    vast   Oregon  country. 

i  lie  casual  unions  of  the  wilder- 
ness, without  benefit  of  clergy,  were  grad- 
ually to  be  replaced  by 
marriage. 

A  long,  brief  century  ago  they  rode,  those 
four,  down  Salmon  river 
they  du>i  clams,  and  prayed,  and  played  upon 
the  level  sands,  or  clambered  to  some  1 
headland  where  the  sea-wind  filled 
with  God's  wondei  and  put  pose.  And  Susan 
fell  lighlly  Horn  he,  horse,  and  they  laughed 
at   her   misadventure.   Bui 


Missionary 
Centennial 
Fete  Planned 


of  this  place,  the  centennial  i 
coming    of    the    first    while    1 
mooners  to  the  coast,  the  Rev.  and 
Mrs.   Jason  Lee   and  Mr.  and   Ml 
fcepard,     accompanied    I 
Joseph  Gerva,s.  is  to  be  observe^ 
Sunday  afternoon.  Augul 
colorful     ceremonies,    according    - 
the  announcement  i 

"'"""and    Wil 
both   of   wMJ 
developed  from  the   mi 
hors  of  the  famous  quartet,  are  e. 
dramatize  the   coming 
,  los  to  the  coa: 
:  K.  Baxter  of  Willamet 


A  group  of  coast  Indians,  some 
whom  are  descended  "™"  India 
Ihe  missionaries  met 


asked    to 
consists  of  Mrs.  H.  E.    .... 
[  Oceanlake,  Attorney   w.  A 


o  of  Salem.  Dr.  William  Wal 
lace  Youngson  of  Tillamook  and  Be 
Hur  Lampman  of  Portland. 


■v°\l 


BY 
15*f2 

L477 
G28V 


BY 
15^2 

IA77 

G285^ 


lfeftadr*f  r«f>t0f 


2959^2 


Gay,  Theressa. 

Life  and  letters  of 
Mrs.  Jason  Lee. 


Bfef  o^..r'-> 


2959^2 


Gay,  Theressa. 

Life  and  letters  of 
Mrs.  Jason  Lee. 
u  A  Y  6  *  8         S    5  a  ° 


METHODIST  CENTE  BY1542L477G285I 
Life  and  letters  of  Mrs.  Jason  Lee 


3  1144  00063530  9 


DREW  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

MADISON,  NEW  JERSEY 


Pioneer  Missionary 
Trip  Remembered 

Commemoration  of  Honey- 
moon Trip  Held  at  Rex- 
road  Park 


According  to  schedule,  at  3:30  Sun- 
day afternoon  about  100  people  met 
at  the  Rexroad  grove  in  Oceanlake  to 
celebrate  the  100th  anniversary  of  the 

honeymoon  and  pilgrimage  of  Jason 
Lee  and  Anna  Marie  Pittman  and  Cy- 
rus Shepard  and  Susan  Downing  into 
i  ake  region  over  the  old 
Indian  Hail,  near  the  present  Salmon 
river  highway. 

Chronicals  of  this  trip  say  they 
traveled  to  the  coast  through  a  very 
heavy   rain  st 


there 
l  great  numbers  that  had  just 
across  the  trail,  there  must 
[■en  a  heavy  wind.  The  occas- 
the  anniversary  celebratic 


was  blessed  with  a  clear 

Dr.  W.  W.  Youngson  of  the  Tilla-  — - 
mook  Methodist  church  presided  and 
in  calling  t lie  meeting  to  order  he 
made  a  brief  address  relative  to  that 
honeymoon  trip,  the  character  of  these 
young  people  and  the  purpose  of  the 
association  sponsoring  the  memorial 
move.  The  audience  then  sang  Amer- 
ica, with  Mrs.  J.  Harold  Newman  of 
Tillamook  at  the  organ  and  Mr.  New- 
man directing.  While  the  audience 
still  stood  the  Rev.  Wallton  Skipworth 
of  Portland  t-ave  the  invocation  and 
all  joined  in  singing  "When  All  They 
Watchman,  Tell  Us," 
two  songs  sung  at  the  Methodist  Mis- 
sion  on  July  18.  1837.  The  Tillamook 
choir  sang'  the  anthem  "Softly  and 
Tenderly"  and  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Fogg 
of  Taft  read  the  90  "Psalm."  Rev.  E. 
C.  Richards  of  the  Willamette  univer- 
tv  offered  prayer. 
Mrs.  A.  E.  Austin  of  the  DAR  of 
Woodburn  gave  an  interesting  address 
on  the  Lee  family.  This  was  followed 
by  an  address  by  Professor  R.  M. 
Gatka  of  the  Willamette  university, 
using  as  his  subject  the  "Lees  and 
Shepards."  The  speaker  told  of  the  — 
months  of  travel  and  hardships  made 
by  Jason  Lee  and  Cyrus  Shepard  in 
crossing  the  plaines  and  the  long  voy- 
age made  by  their  future  brides,  An- 
na Maris  Pittman  and  Susan  Down- 
ing around  Cape  Horn  to  the  Sand- 
wich Islands  and  then  from  the  Is- 
lands to  the  Columbia  river,'  then  up 
the  Willamette  to  the  mission,  near 
the  present  community  of  Wheatland. 
The  audience  then  sang  "From 
Greenland's  Icy  Mountains."  This  was 
the  farewell  song  sung  by  the  Boston 
people  as  Anna  Marie  Pittman's  boat 
left  that  harbor  bearing  her  to  the 
almost  unknown  west. 

Dr    Bruce  Baxter,  president  of  the 
i  'lette    university,    gave    an    ad- 

-.  t  rich  he  recited  the  growth 
.  jnnecting  links  through  which 
the  Leo  Mission  school  developed  into 
the  Willamette  university.  The  speak- 
ir  said  the  school  started  with  three 
pretty  liadly  unkept  pupils  and  or-; 
teacher  and  now  has  better  than  800 
students  with  more  than  50  in  the 
faculty. 

At  the  close  of  President  Baxter's 
address,  Wolverton  Orton  and  wife  of 
Siletz  and  Joe  Dick  of  the  Devils  Lake 
region  were  introduced  by  Rev.  H.  H 
Mills  ,,f  Siletz.  Mrs.  Esthe 
of  Bay  Ocean,  Tillamook  county,  was 
also  introduced.  Mrs.  Brammer 
82  year  old  daughter  of  Weblev  Haux 
hurst  who  on  May  2,  1842,  stood  on 
the  side  of  the  line  at  Champoeg  that 
called  for  the  American  government 
for  Oregon.  Lead  by  the  Boy  Scouts 
the  audience  stood  and  gave  the  salute 
to  the  American  flag. 
Mr.    Clara  Tranter,  granddaughter 


y,  was 
■  is  the 


Cyrus    Shepard    and 
short  talk  about  her  grandparent: 

presented  to  the  Willamette  Un 
sity  through  Professor  R.  M.  Gatke, 
the  letter  written  by  her  grandfather 
to  her  grandmother,  Susan  Downing, 
in  the  east  just  before  she  left  by  way 
of  Cape  Horn  for  the  Oregon 
a  become  Ins  wife. 

Rev.  A.  M.  Williams  of  Nelscott 
was  introduced  and  read  two  resolu- 
tions.  one  to  place  a  suitable  monu 
ment  at  the  place  where  the  ocean  i- 
.ninlng  1. 1  llu>  coast  ovio 
the  Salmon  river  high 
second  to  prevent  the  moving  of  hor>- 

"■■    ho    Indian   graveyard   near 

Brae, oar     Foil,  resolution*  v  or,.  „ 
imously  adopted  liy  the  gath,  ,,ng. 

"ivi..,n"  a-  written  by  Dr.  Youngston. 

neiiiitiori    brought    1 1 ,  • 


chjeed    with     Mrs.     H,     ! 
Oceanlake  and   Leslie    Scott   «il    Pott- 
land.  Mrs.  Warren  is  presenting  In  th, 

Willamette  university  an 

en  from  the  famous  elm  under  whicl 
George  Washington  tool    i 

■